Tanakh

The Tanakh (Hebrew: תָּנָ״ךְ) or Mikra or Hebrew Bible is the canonical collection of Jewish texts, which is also a textual source for the Christian Old Testament.

Front page of a 17th-century Hebrew Bible.

Torah ~ Law

Close-up of a Torah scroll.

Close-up of a Hebrew Bible displaying Genesis 1.

Bereishit ~ Genesis

"In the beginning …" (Genesis 1:1)

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)

• בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית בָּרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֑ים אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ׃
  • Genesis 1:1 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
      • KJV translation
    • When God began to create heaven and earth—
      • JPS translation

"And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." (Genesis 1:2)

• וְהָאָ֗רֶץ הָיְתָ֥ה תֹ֙הוּ֙ וָבֹ֔הוּ וְחֹ֖שֶׁךְ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י תְה֑וֹם וְר֣וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֔ים מְרַחֶ֖פֶת עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַמָּֽיִם׃
  • Genesis 1:2 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
      • KJV translation

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." (Genesis 1:3)

• וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֖ים יְהִ֣י א֑וֹר וַֽיְהִי־אֽוֹר׃
  • Genesis 1:3 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
      • KJV translation

"And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters." (Genesis 1:6)

• וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֔ים יְהִ֥י רָקִ֖יעַ בְּת֣וֹךְ הַמָּ֑יִם וִיהִ֣י מַבְדִּ֔יל בֵּ֥ין מַ֖יִם לָמָֽיִם׃
  • Genesis 1:6 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
      • KJV translation

• וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֗ים יְהִ֤י מְאֹרֹת֙ בִּרְקִ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם לְהַבְדִּ֕יל בֵּ֥ין הַיּ֖וֹם וּבֵ֣ין הַלָּ֑יְלָה וְהָי֤וּ לְאֹתֹת֙ וּלְמ֣וֹעֲדִ֔ים וּלְיָמִ֖ים וְשָׁנִֽים׃ וְהָי֤וּ לִמְאוֹרֹת֙ בִּרְקִ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם לְהָאִ֖יר עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן׃ וַיַּ֣עַשׂ אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֶת־שְׁנֵ֥י הַמְּאֹרֹ֖ת הַגְּדֹלִ֑ים אֶת־הַמָּא֤וֹר הַגָּדֹל֙ לְמֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת הַיּ֔וֹם וְאֶת־הַמָּא֤וֹר הַקָּטֹן֙ לְמֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת הַלַּ֔יְלָה וְאֵ֖ת הַכּוֹכָבִֽים׃ וַיִּתֵּ֥ן אֹתָ֛ם אֱלֹהִ֖ים בִּרְקִ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם לְהָאִ֖יר עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ וְלִמְשֹׁל֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם וּבַלַּ֔יְלָה וּֽלְהַבְדִּ֔יל בֵּ֥ין הָא֖וֹר וּבֵ֣ין הַחֹ֑שֶׁךְ וַיַּ֥רְא אֱלֹהִ֖ים כִּי־טֽוֹב׃
  • Genesis 1:14–18 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
      • KJV translation

• אֵ֣לֶּה תוֹלְד֧וֹת הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם וְהָאָ֖רֶץ בְּהִבָּֽרְאָ֑ם בְּי֗וֹם עֲשׂ֛וֹת יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶ֥רֶץ וְשָׁמָֽיִם׃ וְכֹ֣ל ׀ שִׂ֣יחַ הַשָּׂדֶ֗ה טֶ֚רֶם יִֽהְיֶ֣ה בָאָ֔רֶץ וְכׇל־עֵ֥שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה טֶ֣רֶם יִצְמָ֑ח כִּי֩ לֹ֨א הִמְטִ֜יר יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וְאָדָ֣ם אַ֔יִן לַֽעֲבֹ֖ד אֶת־הָֽאֲדָמָֽה׃ וְאֵ֖ד יַֽעֲלֶ֣ה מִן־הָאָ֑רֶץ וְהִשְׁקָ֖ה אֶֽת־כׇּל־פְּנֵ֥י הָֽאֲדָמָֽה׃ וַיִּ֩יצֶר֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶת־הָֽאָדָ֗ם עָפָר֙ מִן־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה וַיִּפַּ֥ח בְּאַפָּ֖יו נִשְׁמַ֣ת חַיִּ֑ים וַֽיְהִ֥י הָֽאָדָ֖ם לְנֶ֥פֶשׁ חַיָּֽה׃
  • Genesis 2:4–7 (MT)
  • Translations:
    • Such is the story of heaven and earth when they were created. When God יהוה made earth and heaven—when no shrub of the field was yet on earth and no grasses of the field had yet sprouted, because God יהוה had not sent rain upon the earth and there were no human beings to till the soil, but a flow would well up from the ground and water the whole surface of the earth—God יהוה formed the Human from the soil's humus, blowing into his nostrils the breath of life: the Human became a living being.
      • JPS translation

• וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים לֹא־ט֛וֹב הֱי֥וֹת הָֽאָדָ֖ם לְבַדּ֑וֹ אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־לּ֥וֹ עֵ֖זֶר כְּנֶגְדּֽוֹ׃
  • Genesis 2:18 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • God יהוה said, "It is not good for the Human to be alone; I will make a fitting counterpart for him."
      • JPS translation

• וַיִּקְרָ֧א הָֽאָדָ֛ם שֵׁ֥ם אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ חַוָּ֑ה כִּ֛י הִ֥וא הָֽיְתָ֖ה אֵ֥ם כׇּל־חָֽי׃
  • Genesis 3:20 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • The Human named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all the living.
      • JPS translation

"And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron." (4:22)

• וְצִלָּ֣ה גַם־הִ֗וא יָֽלְדָה֙ אֶת־תּ֣וּבַל קַ֔יִן לֹטֵ֕שׁ כׇּל־חֹרֵ֥שׁ נְחֹ֖שֶׁת וּבַרְזֶ֑ל
  • Genesis 4:22 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron.
      • KJV translation

• וַֽאֲח֥וֹת תּֽוּבַל־קַ֖יִן נַֽעֲמָֽה׃
  • Genesis 4:22 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • And the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
      • KJV translation

"It was then that יהוה began to be invoked by name." (Genesis 4:26)

• וּלְשֵׁ֤ת גַּם־הוּא֙ יֻלַּד־בֵּ֔ן וַיִּקְרָ֥א אֶת־שְׁמ֖וֹ אֱנ֑וֹשׁ אָ֣ז הוּחַ֔ל לִקְרֹ֖א בְּשֵׁ֥ם יְהֹוָֽה׃
  • Genesis 4:26 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • It was then that יהוה began to be invoked by name.
      • JPS translation

• וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהֹוָ֗ה הֵ֣ן עַ֤ם אֶחָד֙ וְשָׂפָ֤ה אַחַת֙ לְכֻלָּ֔ם וְזֶ֖ה הַחִלָּ֣ם לַעֲשׂ֑וֹת וְעַתָּה֙ לֹֽא־יִבָּצֵ֣ר מֵהֶ֔ם כֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָזְמ֖וּ לַֽעֲשֽׂוֹת׃ הָ֚בָה נֵֽרְדָ֔ה וְנָבְלָ֥ה שָׁ֖ם שְׂפָתָ֑ם אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א יִשְׁמְע֔וּ אִ֖ישׁ שְׂפַ֥ת רֵעֵֽהוּ׃
  • Genesis 11:6–7 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
      • KJV translation
  • Comments:
    • See Tower of Babel.

• וַאֲבָֽרְכָה֙ מְבָ֣רְכֶ֔יךָ וּמְקַלֶּלְךָ֖ אָאֹ֑ר וְנִבְרְכ֣וּ בְךָ֔ כֹּ֖ל מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הָאֲדָמָֽה׃
  • Genesis 12:3 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • I will bless those who bless you
      And curse the one who curses you;
      And all the families of the earth
      Shall bless themselves by you.
      • JPS translation

"I am El Shaddai. Walk in My ways and be blameless. I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will make you exceedingly numerous." (Genesis 17:1–2)

• וַיְהִ֣י אַבְרָ֔ם בֶּן־תִּשְׁעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וְתֵ֣שַׁע שָׁנִ֑ים וַיֵּרָ֨א יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־אַבְרָ֗ם וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ אֲנִי־–אֵ֣ל שַׁדַּ֔י הִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ לְפָנַ֖י וֶהְיֵ֥ה תָמִֽים׃ וְאֶתְּנָ֥ה בְרִיתִ֖י בֵּינִ֣י וּבֵינֶ֑ךָ וְאַרְבֶּ֥ה אוֹתְךָ֖ בִּמְאֹ֥ד מְאֹֽד׃
  • Genesis 17:1–2 (MT)
  • Translations:
    • When Abram was ninety-nine years old, יהוה appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am El Shaddai. Walk in My ways and be blameless. I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will make you exceedingly numerous."
      • JPS translation
    • And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
      • KJV translation
    • When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers."
      • NIV translation

Shemot ~ Exodus

"And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you." (Exodus 3:14)

• וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶֽהְיֶ֑ה וַיֹּ֗אמֶר כֹּ֤ה תֹאמַר֙ לִבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה שְׁלָחַ֥נִי אֲלֵיכֶֽם׃
  • Exodus 3:14 (MT)
  • Translations:
    • And God said to Moses, "Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh," continuing, "Thus shall you say to the Israelites, 'Ehyeh sent me to you.'"
      • JPS translation
    • And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.
      • KJV translation

• וְאַחַ֗ר בָּ֚אוּ מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְאַהֲרֹ֔ן וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֑ה כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל שַׁלַּח֙ אֶת־עַמִּ֔י וְיָחֹ֥גּוּ לִ֖י בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃
  • Exodus 5:1 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, "Thus says יהוה, the God of Israel: Let My people go that they may celebrate a festival for Me in the wilderness."
      • JPS translation

"I am יהוה. I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as El Shaddai, but I did not make Myself known to them by My name יהוה." (Exodus 6:2–3)

• וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃ וָאֵרָ֗א אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֛ם אֶל־יִצְחָ֥ק וְאֶֽל־יַעֲקֹ֖ב בְּאֵ֣ל שַׁדָּ֑י וּשְׁמִ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה לֹ֥א נוֹדַ֖עְתִּי לָהֶֽם׃
  • Exodus 6:2–3 (MT)
  • Translations:
    • God spoke to Moses and said to him, "I am יהוה. I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as El Shaddai, but I did not make Myself known to them by My name יהוה."
      • JPS translation
    • And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
      • KJV translation
    • God also said to Moses, "I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself fully known to them."
      • NIV translation

"I יהוה am your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage: You shall have no other gods besides Me." (Exodus 20:2–3)

• אָֽנֹכִ֖י֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑֔יךָ אֲשֶׁ֧ר הוֹצֵאתִ֛יךָ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם מִבֵּ֣֥ית עֲבָדִ֑͏ֽים׃ לֹֽ֣א־יִהְיֶ֥͏ֽה־לְךָ֛֩ אֱלֹהִ֥֨ים אֲחֵרִ֖֜ים עַל־פָּנָֽ͏ַ֗י׃
  • Exodus 20:2–3 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • I יהוה am your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage: You shall have no other gods besides Me.
      • JPS translation
  • Comments:
    • Exodus 20:2–17 relates the Ten Commandments.

"You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:13)

• לֹ֥֖א תִּֿרְצָ֖͏ֽח׃ לֹ֣֖א תִּֿנְאָ֑͏ֽף׃ לֹ֣֖א תִּֿגְנֹֽ֔ב׃ לֹֽא־תַעֲנֶ֥ה בְרֵעֲךָ֖ עֵ֥ד שָֽׁקֶר׃ לֹ֥א תַחְמֹ֖ד בֵּ֣ית רֵעֶ֑ךָ לֹֽא־תַחְמֹ֞ד אֵ֣שֶׁת רֵעֶ֗ךָ וְעַבְדּ֤וֹ וַאֲמָתוֹ֙ וְשׁוֹר֣וֹ וַחֲמֹר֔וֹ וְכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְרֵעֶֽךָ׃
  • Exodus 20:13–14 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor's house: you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or male or female slave, or ox or ass, or anything that is your neighbor's.
      • JPS translation

• וְגֵ֥ר לֹא־תוֹנֶ֖ה וְלֹ֣א תִלְחָצֶ֑נּוּ כִּֽי־גֵרִ֥ים הֱיִיתֶ֖ם בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
  • Exodus 22:20 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
      • NASB translation

• לֹֽא־תִהְיֶ֥ה אַחֲרֵֽי־רַבִּ֖ים לְרָעֹ֑ת
  • Exodus 23:2 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.
      • KJV translation

• מִדְּבַר־שֶׁ֖קֶר תִּרְחָ֑ק
  • Exodus 23:7 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Keep thee far from a false matter.
      • KJV translation

• וְשֹׁ֖חַד לֹ֣א תִקָּ֑ח כִּ֤י הַשֹּׁ֙חַד֙ יְעַוֵּ֣ר פִּקְחִ֔ים וִֽיסַלֵּ֖ף דִּבְרֵ֥י צַדִּיקִֽים׃
  • Exodus 23:8 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.
      • KJV translation

Vayikra ~ Leviticus

"You shall keep My laws and My rules, by the pursuit of which human beings shall live: I am יהוה." (Leviticus 18:5)

• אֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֧י תַּעֲשׂ֛וּ וְאֶת־חֻקֹּתַ֥י תִּשְׁמְר֖וּ לָלֶ֣כֶת בָּהֶ֑ם אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֤ם אֶת־חֻקֹּתַי֙ וְאֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתָ֛ם הָאָדָ֖ם וָחַ֣י בָּהֶ֑ם אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָֽה׃
  • Leviticus 18:4–5 (MT)
  • Translations:
    • My rules alone shall you observe, and faithfully follow My laws: I יהוה am your God. You shall keep My laws and My rules, by the pursuit of which human beings shall live: I am יהוה.
      • JPS translation
    • Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord.
      • KJV translation
    • You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord.
      • NIV translation

• לֹֽא־תִקֹּ֤ם וְלֹֽא־תִטֹּר֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י עַמֶּ֔ךָ וְאָֽהַבְתָּ֥ לְרֵעֲךָ֖ כָּמ֑וֹךָ אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָֽה׃
  • Leviticus 19:18 (MT)
  • Translations:
    • Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.
      • KJV translation
    • Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
      • NIV translation

• כְּאֶזְרָ֣ח מִכֶּם֩ יִהְיֶ֨ה לָכֶ֜ם הַגֵּ֣ר ׀ הַגָּ֣ר אִתְּכֶ֗ם וְאָהַבְתָּ֥ לוֹ֙ כָּמ֔וֹךָ כִּֽי־גֵרִ֥ים הֱיִיתֶ֖ם בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃
  • Leviticus 19:34 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • The stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
      • KJV translation

Devarim ~ Deuteronomy

See also: Shema Yisrael

See also: V'ahavta

"Hear, O Israel! יהוה is our God, יהוה alone." (Deuteronomy 6:4)

• שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה אֶחָֽד
  • Deuteronomy 6:4 (MT)
  • Transliteration:
    • Sh'ma Yisra'el, YHWH 'eloheinu, YHWH 'eḥad.
  • Translations:
    • Hear, O Israel! יהוה is our God, יהוה alone.
      • JPS translation (Sefaria.org)
    • Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
      • JPS translation
    • Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.
      • KJV translation
    • Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
      • NIV translation
    •  Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!
      • NASB translation

"Take to heart these instructions with which I charge you this day." (Deuteronomy 6:6)

• וְאָ֣הַבְתָּ֔ אֵ֖ת יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ בְּכׇל־לְבָבְךָ֥ וּבְכׇל־נַפְשְׁךָ֖ וּבְכׇל־מְאֹדֶֽךָ׃
  • Deuteronomy 6:5 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
      • KJV translation
    • You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.
      • NRSVA translation

"Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them serve as a symbol on your forehead." (Deuteronomy 6:8)

"Inscribe them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:9)

• וְהָי֞וּ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֧י מְצַוְּךָ֛ הַיּ֖וֹם עַל־לְבָבֶֽךָ׃ וְשִׁנַּנְתָּ֣ם לְבָנֶ֔יךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ֖ בָּ֑ם בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ֤ בְּבֵיתֶ֙ךָ֙ וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ֣ בַדֶּ֔רֶךְ וּֽבְשׇׁכְבְּךָ֖ וּבְקוּמֶֽךָ׃ וּקְשַׁרְתָּ֥ם לְא֖וֹת עַל־יָדֶ֑ךָ וְהָי֥וּ לְטֹטָפֹ֖ת בֵּ֥ין עֵינֶֽיךָ׃ וּכְתַבְתָּ֛ם עַל־מְזֻז֥וֹת בֵּיתֶ֖ךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ׃
  • Deuteronomy 6:6–9 (MT)
  • Translations:
    • Take to heart these instructions with which I charge you this day. Impress them upon your children. Recite them when you stay at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them serve as a symbol on your forehead; inscribe them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
      • JPS translation
    • Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
      • NRSVA translation

• וְהָיָ֗ה אִם־שָׁמֹ֤עַ תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙ אֶל־מִצְוֺתַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָנֹכִ֛י מְצַוֶּ֥ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם הַיּ֑וֹם לְאַהֲבָ֞ה אֶת־יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙ וּלְעׇבְד֔וֹ בְּכׇל־לְבַבְכֶ֖ם וּבְכׇל־נַפְשְׁכֶֽם׃ וְנָתַתִּ֧י מְטַֽר־אַרְצְכֶ֛ם בְּעִתּ֖וֹ יוֹרֶ֣ה וּמַלְק֑וֹשׁ וְאָסַפְתָּ֣ דְגָנֶ֔ךָ וְתִירֹֽשְׁךָ֖ וְיִצְהָרֶֽךָ׃ וְנָתַתִּ֛י עֵ֥שֶׂב בְּשָׂדְךָ֖ לִבְהֶמְתֶּ֑ךָ וְאָכַלְתָּ֖ וְשָׂבָֽעְתָּ׃
  • Deuteronomy 11:13–15 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • If, then, you obey the commandments that I enjoin upon you this day, loving your God יהוה and serving [God] with all your heart and soul, I will grant the rain for your land in season, the early rain and the late. You shall gather in your new grain and wine and oil—I will also provide grass in the fields for your cattle—and thus you shall eat your fill.
      • JPS translation

• מִקֵּ֥ץ שֶֽׁבַע־שָׁנִ֖ים תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה שְׁמִטָּֽה׃
  • Deuteronomy 15:1 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Every seventh year you shall practice remission of debts.
      • JPS translation

• כִּֽי־יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ בֵּֽרַכְךָ֔ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּר־לָ֑ךְ וְהַֽעֲבַטְתָּ֞ גּוֹיִ֣ם רַבִּ֗ים וְאַתָּה֙ לֹ֣א תַעֲבֹ֔ט וּמָֽשַׁלְתָּ֙ בְּגוֹיִ֣ם רַבִּ֔ים וּבְךָ֖ לֹ֥א יִמְשֹֽׁלוּ׃
  • Deuteronomy 15:6 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • For your God יהוה will bless you as promised: you will extend loans to many nations, but require none yourself; you will dominate many nations, but they will not dominate you.
      • JPS translation

• נָת֤וֹן תִּתֵּן֙ ל֔וֹ וְלֹא־יֵרַ֥ע לְבָבְךָ֖ בְּתִתְּךָ֣ ל֑וֹ כִּ֞י בִּגְלַ֣ל ׀ הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֗ה יְבָרֶכְךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בְּכׇֽל־מַעֲשֶׂ֔ךָ וּבְכֹ֖ל מִשְׁלַ֥ח יָדֶֽךָ׃
  • Deuteronomy 15:10 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Give readily and have no regrets when you do so, for in return your God יהוה will bless you in all your efforts and in all your undertakings.
      • JPS translation

• תָּמִ֣ים תִּֽהְיֶ֔ה עִ֖ם יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃
  • Deuteronomy 18:13 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God.
      • KJV translation

Nevi'im ~ Prophets

Shmuel Aleph ~ 1 Samuel

"The Lord deals death and gives life, casts down into Sheol and raises up." (1 Samuel 2:6)

• יְהֹוָ֖ה מֵמִ֣ית וּמְחַיֶּ֑ה מוֹרִ֥יד שְׁא֖וֹל וַיָּֽעַל׃
  • 1 Samuel 2:6 (MT)
  • Translations:
    • The Lord deals death and gives life, casts down into Sheol and raises up.
      • JPS translation
    • The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
      • KJV translation
    • The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up.
      • NIV translation

Divrei Hayamim Aleph ~ 1 Chronicles

• לְךָ֣ יְ֠הֹוָ֠ה הַגְּדֻלָּ֨ה וְהַגְּבוּרָ֤ה וְהַתִּפְאֶ֙רֶת֙ וְהַנֵּ֣צַח וְהַה֔וֹד כִּי־כֹ֖ל בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם וּבָאָ֑רֶץ לְךָ֤ יְהֹוָה֙ הַמַּמְלָכָ֔ה וְהַמִּתְנַשֵּׂ֖א לְכֹ֥ל ׀ לְרֹֽאשׁ׃ וְהָעֹ֤שֶׁר וְהַכָּבוֹד֙ מִלְּפָנֶ֔יךָ וְאַתָּה֙ מוֹשֵׁ֣ל בַּכֹּ֔ל וּבְיָדְךָ֖ כֹּ֣חַ וּגְבוּרָ֑ה וּבְיָ֣דְךָ֔ לְגַדֵּ֥ל וּלְחַזֵּ֖ק לַכֹּֽל׃ וְעַתָּ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ מוֹדִ֥ים אֲנַ֖חְנוּ לָ֑ךְ וּֽמְהַלְלִ֖ים לְשֵׁ֥ם תִּפְאַרְתֶּֽךָ׃
  • 1 Chronicles 29:11–13 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
      • KJV translation

Ketuvim ~ Writings

Iyov ~ Job

• כִּ֤י רִנְנַ֣ת רְ֭שָׁעִים מִקָּר֑וֹב
  • Job 20:5 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • The mirth of the wicked is brief.
      • NIV translation

"But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living … for the price of wisdom is above rubies." (Job 28:12–18)

• וְֽ֭הַחׇכְמָה מֵאַ֣יִן תִּמָּצֵ֑א וְאֵ֥י זֶ֝֗ה מְק֣וֹם בִּינָֽה׃ לֹא־יָדַ֣ע אֱנ֣וֹשׁ עֶרְכָּ֑הּ וְלֹ֥א תִ֝מָּצֵ֗א בְּאֶ֣רֶץ הַחַיִּֽים׃ תְּה֣וֹם אָ֭מַר לֹ֣א בִי־הִ֑יא וְיָ֥ם אָ֝מַ֗ר אֵ֣ין עִמָּדִֽי׃ לֹֽא־יֻתַּ֣ן סְג֣וֹר תַּחְתֶּ֑יהָ וְלֹ֥א יִ֝שָּׁקֵ֗ל כֶּ֣סֶף מְחִירָֽהּ׃ לֹֽא־תְ֭סֻלֶּה בְּכֶ֣תֶם אוֹפִ֑יר בְּשֹׁ֖הַם יָקָ֣ר וְסַפִּֽיר׃ לֹא־יַעַרְכֶ֣נָּה זָ֭הָב וּזְכוֹכִ֑ית וּתְמ֖וּרָתָ֣הּ כְּלִי־פָֽז׃ רָאמ֣וֹת וְ֭גָבִישׁ לֹ֣א יִזָּכֵ֑ר וּמֶ֥שֶׁךְ חׇ֝כְמָ֗ה מִפְּנִינִֽים׃
  • Job 28:12–18 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • But where shall wisdom be found?
      And where is the place of understanding?
      Man knoweth not the price thereof;
      neither is it found in the land of the living.
      The depth saith, It is not in me:
      and the sea saith, It is not with me.
      It cannot be gotten for gold,
      neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.
      It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir,
      with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
      The gold and the crystal cannot equal it:
      and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.
      No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls:
      for the price of wisdom is above rubies.
      • KJV translation

Tehellim ~ Psalms

"Happy is the man who has not followed the counsel of the wicked, or taken the path of sinners, or joined the company of the insolent; rather, the teaching of the Lord is his delight, and he studies that teaching day and night." (Psalms 1:1–2)

• אַ֥שְֽׁרֵי הָאִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֤ר ׀ לֹ֥א הָלַךְ֮ בַּעֲצַ֢ת רְשָׁ֫עִ֥ים וּבְדֶ֣רֶךְ חַ֭טָּאִים לֹ֥א עָמָ֑ד וּבְמוֹשַׁ֥ב לֵ֝צִ֗ים לֹ֣א יָשָֽׁב׃ כִּ֤י אִ֥ם בְּתוֹרַ֥ת יְהֹוָ֗ה חֶ֫פְצ֥וֹ וּֽבְתוֹרָת֥וֹ יֶהְגֶּ֗ה יוֹמָ֥ם וָלָֽיְלָה׃ וְֽהָיָ֗ה כְּעֵץ֮ שָׁת֢וּל עַֽל־פַּלְגֵ֫י־מָ֥יִם אֲשֶׁ֤ר פִּרְי֨וֹ ׀ יִתֵּ֬ן בְּעִתּ֗וֹ וְעָלֵ֥הוּ לֹֽא־יִבּ֑וֹל וְכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה יַצְלִֽיחַ׃
  • Psalms 1:1–3 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Happy is the man who has not followed the counsel of the wicked, or taken the path of sinners, or joined the company of the insolent; rather, the teaching of the Lord is his delight, and he studies that teaching day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, whose foliage never fades, and whatever it produces thrives.
      • JPS translation

• אִמְר֣וּ בִ֭לְבַבְכֶם
  • Psalms 4:5 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Commune with your own heart.
      • KJV translation

• וּבָר֤וּךְ ׀ שֵׁ֥ם כְּבוֹד֗וֹ לְע֫וֹלָ֥ם וְיִמָּלֵ֣א כְ֭בוֹדוֹ אֶת־כֹּ֥ל הָאָ֗רֶץ אָ֘מֵ֥ן ׀ וְאָמֵֽן׃
  • Psalms 72:19
  • Translation:
    • Blessed is His glorious name forever;
      His glory fills the whole world.
      Amen and Amen.
      • JPS translation

Mishlei ~ Proverbs

"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding." (Proverbs 3:13)

• כִּֽי־תָב֣וֹא חׇכְמָ֣ה בְלִבֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝דַ֗עַת לְֽנַפְשְׁךָ֥ יִנְעָֽם׃ מְ֭זִמָּה תִּשְׁמֹ֥ר עָלֶ֗יךָ תְּבוּנָ֥ה תִנְצְרֶֽכָּה׃
  • Proverbs 2:10–11 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul, discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.
      • KJV translation

• חֶ֥סֶד וֶאֱמֶ֗ת אַֽל־יַ֫עַזְבֻ֥ךָ קׇשְׁרֵ֥ם עַל־גַּרְגְּרוֹתֶ֑יךָ כׇּ֝תְבֵ֗ם עַל־ל֥וּחַ לִבֶּֽךָ׃
  • Proverbs 3:3 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart.
      • KJV translation

• אַל־תְּהִ֣י חָכָ֣ם בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ
  • Proverbs 3:7 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Be not wise in thine own eyes.
      • KJV translation

"[Wisdom] is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her." (Proverbs 3:15)

• אַשְׁרֵ֣י אָ֭דָם מָצָ֣א חׇכְמָ֑ה וְ֝אָדָ֗ם יָפִ֥יק תְּבוּנָֽה׃ כִּ֤י ט֣וֹב סַ֭חְרָהּ מִסְּחַר־כָּ֑סֶף וּ֝מֵחָר֗וּץ תְּבוּאָתָֽהּ׃ יְקָ֣רָה הִ֭יא (מפניים) [מִפְּנִינִ֑ים] וְכׇל־חֲ֝פָצֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א יִֽשְׁווּ־בָֽהּ׃
  • Proverbs 3:13–15 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
      • KJV translation

• עֵץ־חַיִּ֣ים הִ֭יא לַמַּחֲזִיקִ֣ים בָּ֑הּ וְֽתֹמְכֶ֥יהָ מְאֻשָּֽׁר׃
  • Proverbs 3:18 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • She is a tree of life to those who grasp her,
      And whoever holds on to her is happy.
      • JPS translation

• אַל־תְּ֭קַנֵּא בְּאִ֣ישׁ חָמָ֑ס וְאַל־תִּ֝בְחַ֗ר בְּכׇל־דְּרָכָֽיו׃
  • Proverbs 3:31 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
      • KJV translation

"With all thy getting get understanding." (Proverbs 4:7)

• וּבְכׇל־קִ֝נְיָנְךָ֗ קְנֵ֣ה בִינָֽה׃
  • Proverbs 4:7 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • With all thy getting get understanding.
      • KJV translation

• אֹהֵ֣ב מ֭וּסָר אֹ֣הֵֽב דָּ֑עַת
  • Proverbs 12:1 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge.
      • NRSV translation

• ט֤וֹב פַּ֣ת חֲ֭רֵבָה וְשַׁלְוָה־בָ֑הּ מִ֝בַּ֗יִת מָלֵ֥א זִבְחֵי־רִֽיב׃
  • Proverbs 17:1 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting with strife.
      • ASV translation

• תֵּ֣חַת גְּעָרָ֣ה בְמֵבִ֑ין מֵהַכּ֖וֹת כְּסִ֣יל מֵאָֽה׃
  • Proverbs 17:10 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
      • KJV translation

• אֶת־פְּנֵ֣י מֵבִ֣ין חׇכְמָ֑ה וְעֵינֵ֥י כְ֝סִ֗יל בִּקְצֵה־אָֽרֶץ׃
  • Proverbs 17:24 (MT)
  • Translations:
    • Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
      • KJV translation
    • A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
      • NIV translation

• חוֹשֵׂ֣ךְ אֲ֭מָרָיו יוֹדֵ֣עַ דָּ֑עַת
  • Proverbs 17:27 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • He that hath knowledge spareth his words.
      • KJV translation

• גַּ֤ם אֱוִ֣יל מַ֭חֲרִישׁ חָכָ֣ם יֵחָשֵׁ֑ב אֹטֵ֖ם שְׂפָתָ֣יו נָבֽוֹן׃
  • Proverbs 17:28 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
      • KJV translation

Qoheleth ~ Ecclesiastes

• וְאָמַ֨רְתִּֽי אֲנִ֜י בְּלִבִּ֗י כְּמִקְרֵ֤ה הַכְּסִיל֙ גַּם־אֲנִ֣י יִקְרֵ֔נִי וְלָ֧מָּה חָכַ֛מְתִּי אֲנִ֖י אָ֣ז יֹתֵ֑ר וְדִבַּ֣רְתִּי בְלִבִּ֔י שֶׁגַּם־זֶ֖ה הָֽבֶל׃
  • Ecclesiastes 2:15 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.
      • KJV translation

Nevi'im ~ Latter Prophets

Yeshayahu ~ Isaiah

• וּבְפָרִשְׂכֶ֣ם כַּפֵּיכֶ֗ם אַעְלִ֤ים עֵינַי֙ מִכֶּ֔ם גַּ֛ם כִּֽי־תַרְבּ֥וּ תְפִלָּ֖ה אֵינֶ֣נִּי שֹׁמֵ֑עַ יְדֵיכֶ֖ם דָּמִ֥ים מָלֵֽאוּ׃ רַֽחֲצוּ֙ הִזַּכּ֔וּ הָסִ֛ירוּ רֹ֥עַ מַעַלְלֵיכֶ֖ם מִנֶּ֣גֶד עֵינָ֑י חִדְל֖וּ הָרֵֽעַ׃ לִמְד֥וּ הֵיטֵ֛ב דִּרְשׁ֥וּ מִשְׁפָּ֖ט אַשְּׁר֣וּ חָמ֑וֹץ שִׁפְט֣וּ יָת֔וֹם רִ֖יבוּ אַלְמָנָֽה׃
  • Isaiah 1:15–17 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • When you spread out your hands in prayer,
        I hide my eyes from you;
      even when you offer many prayers,
        I am not listening.
      Your hands are full of blood!
      Wash and make yourselves clean.
        Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
        stop doing wrong.
      Learn to do right; seek justice.
        Defend the oppressed.
      Take up the cause of the fatherless;
      plead the case of the widow.
      • NIV translation

Yirmeyahu ~ Jeremiah

• נִצַּ֑חַת הֶחֱזִ֙יקוּ֙ בַּתַּרְמִ֔ת מֵאֲנ֖וּ לָשֽׁוּב׃ הִקְשַׁ֤בְתִּי וָֽאֶשְׁמָע֙ לוֹא־כֵ֣ן יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ אֵ֣ין אִ֗ישׁ נִחָם֙ עַל־רָ֣עָת֔וֹ לֵאמֹ֖ר מֶ֣ה עָשִׂ֑יתִי כֻּלֹּ֗ה שָׁ֚ב (במרצותם) [בִּמְר֣וּצָתָ֔ם] כְּס֥וּס שׁוֹטֵ֖ף בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃
  • Jeremiah 8:5–6 (MT)
  • Translation:
    • They cling to deceit;
      they refuse to return.
      I have listened attentively,
      but they do not say what is right.
      None of them repent of their wickedness,
      saying, "What have I done?"
      Each pursues their own course
      like a horse charging into battle.
      • NIV translation

Quotes about the Tanakh

A copy of the Gutenberg Bible.

A Hebrew Bible manuscript from 1300.

• In the Old Testament stories, … the sublime influence of God here reaches so deeply into the everyday that the two realms of the sublime and the everyday are not only actually unseparated but basically inseparable.
  • Erich Auerbach, Mimesis: The Representation of Reality in Western Literature (1946), p. 22

• The Christians wrested the Old Testament out of the hands of the Jews and used it as a weapon against them. The belief in their own selection by God was turned into an expression of the absolute and exclusive position of Christianity, and Jewish Messianism was twisted into the doctrine of Christ's return.
  • Karlheinz Deschner. Abermals krähte der Hahn, btb-Taschenbücher im Goldmann Verlag 1996, ISBN 3-442-72025-7, s. 505

• Biblical scholars maintain that the vast majority of the written materials that comprise the Hebrew Bible began as traditions communicated from generation to generation by word of mouth and by the example of how people lived daily. Only gradually were these stories, ideas, and practices committed to writing in what we know as the Hebrew Bible.
  • Elliot N. Dorff, "Moses, the prophets, and the Rabbis", Christianity and Family Law: An Introduction, edited by John Witte Jr., Gary S. Hauk, Cambridge University (2017), p. 16

• Although Orthodox Jews believe that the whole Torah was revealed by God to Moses at Mount Sinai, Conservative and Reform Jews accept the conclusions of biblical scholarship that the Torah consists of documents originating in oral traditions and committed to writing between the eleventh and sixth centuries BC, and edited together by the time of Ezra (mid-fifth century BC). Some later strands of the Torah interpret earlier strands, and this process of creating new interpretations and applications of earlier materials and new traditions altogether in the latter centuries of the biblical period and after the close of the biblical canon constitutes what we know as Rabbinic literature.
  • Elliot N. Dorff, "Moses, the prophets, and the Rabbis", Christianity and Family Law: An Introduction, edited by John Witte Jr., Gary S. Hauk, Cambridge University (2017), p. 18

• Whenever it is a question of the eternal truths of reason, it does not say believe, but understand and know.
  • Moses Mendelssohn, Jerusalem, or on Religious Power and Judaism (1783), as translated by Allan Arkush (1983), p. 100

• There is scant archaeological or related textual evidence to support any of these putative episodes of genocide described in the Hebrew Bible as historical events. But more important than the historicity of the described destruction of peoples and towns is the fact that the biblical rendition of genocide reveals what men and women of antiquity believed was possible, even likely, in the relations between nations, while at the same time setting precedents, patterns, and norms for the future. The leaders of the Hebrews—Moses, Samuel, Saul, David, and Joshua—implemented the will of God to commit mass murder. Sometimes, the killing was in righteous retribution for alleged acts committed against the Hebrews. But most often, peoples were attacked and eliminated because they lived in the land that God had promised to the Hebrews. Those eliminated were blamed for their own fate, a widespread phenomenon in mass killing that has repeated itself over the centuries. Sometimes, women and children were spared as slaves and concubines, or even taken as wives.
  • Norman Naimark, Genocide: A World History (2015)

See also

• Masoretic Text
• The Bible
• Torah study

External links

• Tanakh on Sefaria.org
• Hebrew–English Bible on Mechon-Mamre.org
• Interlinear Hebrew Bible on BibleHub.com