Torah books of the Bible

The Pentateuch (Genesis–Deuteronomy). 

These notes are written at Certificate level, with enough depth for formal Bible College instruction but also clear enough for self-study.

Author: Kenneth Malenge 



Bible Survey Notes – The Pentateuch

1. GENESIS

  • Author: Moses
  • Date: c. 1450–1410 BC (during wilderness period)
  • Name Meaning: “Beginnings”
  • Theme: The book of beginnings – creation, fall, nations, and the covenant people.

Purpose

  • To show God as Creator and Sovereign over all.
  • To trace the beginning of sin and God’s plan of redemption.
  • To record the calling of Abraham and God’s covenant with him.

Outline

  1. Primeval History (1–11)
    • Creation (1–2)
    • The Fall and its consequences (3–5)
    • The Flood (6–9)
    • Tower of Babel (10–11)
  2. Patriarchal History (12–50)
    • Abraham (12–25)
    • Isaac (26–27)
    • Jacob (28–36)
    • Joseph (37–50)

Key Verse: Gen. 12:3

Theological Emphasis

  • God as Creator and Judge.
  • Origin of sin and promise of redemption (Gen. 3:15).
  • God’s covenant promises (Abrahamic covenant).
  • God’s providence in guiding His chosen people.

Relevance for Today

  • Affirms God’s purpose in creation.
  • Explains the origin of sin and suffering.
  • Encourages trust in God’s promises.

2. EXODUS

  • Author: Moses
  • Date: c. 1450–1410 BC
  • Name Meaning: “Going out”
  • Theme: Redemption of Israel out of Egypt and God’s covenant with His people.

Purpose

  • To show God as Deliverer and Redeemer.
  • To reveal God’s law and covenant relationship with Israel.
  • To introduce the presence of God dwelling with His people.

Outline

  1. Deliverance from Egypt (1–18)
    • Israel’s bondage (1–2)
    • The call of Moses (3–4)
    • The plagues (5–12)
    • The Exodus (13–15)
    • Journey to Sinai (16–18)
  2. Covenant at Sinai (19–24)
    • Ten Commandments given (20)
  3. God’s Presence in the Tabernacle (25–40)
    • Instructions (25–31)
    • Golden Calf rebellion (32–34)
    • Tabernacle built (35–40)

Key Verse: Exod. 6:6–7

Theological Emphasis

  • God’s power to redeem.
  • The Passover as a picture of Christ.
  • The Law as God’s standard of holiness.
  • God’s presence with His people (Tabernacle).

Relevance for Today

  • Christ is our Passover (1 Cor. 5:7).
  • God delivers His people from bondage.
  • God calls His people to holiness and obedience.

3. LEVITICUS

  • Author: Moses
  • Date: c. 1445 BC
  • Name Meaning: “Relating to the Levites”
  • Theme: Holiness in worship and daily living.

Purpose

  • To instruct Israel in holy living and acceptable worship.
  • To show the necessity of sacrifice for atonement.

Outline

  1. Sacrifices and Offerings (1–7)
  2. Consecration of Priests (8–10)
  3. Laws on Clean and Unclean (11–15)
  4. Day of Atonement (16)
  5. Holiness Code (17–27)

Key Verse: Lev. 19:2

Theological Emphasis

  • The holiness of God.
  • Sacrifice and atonement by blood.
  • Mediation of the priesthood.
  • Separation from sin.

Relevance for Today

  • Points to Christ as our High Priest and Sacrifice.
  • Reminds believers of God’s call to holiness.

4. NUMBERS

  • Author: Moses
  • Date: c. 1445–1405 BC
  • Name Meaning: “In the Wilderness” (named for the censuses)
  • Theme: Israel’s failure to trust God and their wandering.

Purpose

  • To record Israel’s journey from Sinai to Canaan.
  • To show the consequences of unbelief and disobedience.

Outline

  1. Preparation at Sinai (1–10)
  2. Failure at Kadesh-barnea (11–20)
  3. Wilderness Wanderings (21–36)

Key Verse: Num. 14:22–23

Theological Emphasis

  • God’s faithfulness despite Israel’s rebellion.
  • Judgment for unbelief.
  • God’s leadership through Moses, Aaron, and the priests.
  • Foreshadowing of Christ as the serpent lifted up (Num. 21:9, cf. John 3:14–15).

Relevance for Today

  • Warning against unbelief.
  • Encouragement to trust God’s promises.

5. DEUTERONOMY

  • Author: Moses
  • Date: c. 1405 BC (before Israel entered Canaan)
  • Name Meaning: “Second Law” (repetition of the Law)
  • Theme: Renewal of the covenant and preparation to enter the Promised Land.

Purpose

  • To remind a new generation of God’s covenant and law.
  • To call Israel to love, obey, and serve the Lord.

Outline

  1. Moses’ First Address: Historical Review (1–4)
  2. Second Address: Exposition of the Law (5–26)
  3. Third Address: Covenant Renewal (27–30)
  4. Moses’ Final Words and Death (31–34)

Key Verse: Deut. 6:4–5

Theological Emphasis

  • God’s covenant faithfulness.
  • The demand for wholehearted love and obedience.
  • Blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience.
  • Promise of a coming Prophet like Moses (Deut. 18:15 → fulfilled in Christ).

Relevance for Today

  • Calls believers to love God with all their heart.
  • Reminds us of God’s covenant promises fulfilled in Christ.
  • Warns against disobedience.

Summary of the Pentateuch

  • Genesis: Beginnings (Creation, Fall, Covenant).
  • Exodus: Redemption (God delivers His people).
  • Leviticus: Holiness (God’s standards for worship and life).
  • Numbers: Testing (Israel’s unbelief and wandering).
  • Deuteronomy: Renewal (Covenant repeated to new generation).

Unifying Theme: God establishes His covenant people and calls them to trust and obey Him, pointing forward to Christ, the true Redeemer.

Book Author Date of Authorship Name Meaning Recipient Theme Purpose Key Verse Key Chapter Key Characters Doctrines
Genesis Moses c. 1450–1400 B.C. “Beginning” or “Origins” Israel Beginnings: creation, sin, covenant, nations To show God as Creator, Covenant-Maker, and Preserver of His chosen people Gen. 1:1 – “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Gen. 12 (Call of Abraham) Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph Creation, Fall, Sin, Covenant, Election, Providence
Exodus Moses c. 1450–1400 B.C. “Exit” or “Departure” Israel Redemption and Deliverance To record God’s redemption of Israel from Egypt and His covenant at Sinai Exod. 12:23 – “When he seeth the blood… the LORD will pass over the door” Exod. 20 (Ten Commandments) Moses, Aaron, Pharaoh Redemption, Passover, Law, God’s Presence
Leviticus Moses c. 1450–1400 B.C. “Pertaining to the Levites” Israel (priests & people) Holiness through Sacrifice and Worship To instruct Israel in holiness and worship by sacrifice and priesthood Lev. 19:2 – “Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.” Lev. 16 (Day of Atonement) Aaron, Priests, Nadab & Abihu Atonement, Holiness, Priesthood, Sacrifice
Numbers Moses c. 1450–1400 B.C. “In the Wilderness” / “Numbers” (from censuses) Israel Journey, Testing, and Unbelief To record Israel’s wanderings, failures, and God’s faithfulness Num. 14:22–23 – warning of unbelief Num. 14 (Rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea) Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Korah, Balaam Providence, Guidance, Sin, Judgment, Leadership
Deuteronomy Moses c. 1450–1400 B.C. (just before Moses’ death, c. 1406 B.C.) “Second Law” / “Repetition of the Law” Israel (new generation) Covenant Renewal before entering Canaan To remind Israel of God’s covenant and prepare them for conquest of Canaan Deut. 6:5 – “Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart…” Deut. 28 (Blessings and Curses) Moses, Joshua Covenant, Love, Obedience, Blessing & Cursing

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

English and Swahili Teachings on Christ

  Summary: The Person and Work of God the Son (Jesus Christ) Jesus Christ, God the Son, is fully God and fully man— the God-Man . Hebrews 1:8 and John 1:1-14 affirm His eternal deity and incarnation. As man, He was born of a woman, experienced human growth, temptation, and death—yet without sin (Heb. 4:15). As God, He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of a virgin, and bears titles and attributes that belong only to Deity (Col. 2:9). His Divine Sonship is affirmed by the Father, angels, prophets, apostles, devils, and Christ Himself. His deity is irrefutable to any who accept the authority of Scripture. His Sevenfold Mission : The Son of God and Son of Man – sent to save the world (John 3:17; Luke 19:10), and to share His inheritance with the redeemed (Rom. 8:17). Saviour and Redeemer – to save His people from their sins and redeem them by His blood (Matt. 1:21; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). Our Example – in holiness, prayer, love, humility, obedience, and overcoming temptation ...
Read more

Apostle’s Creed: I believe.

Image
I believe in God, the Father almighty,  creator of heaven and earth. 1. The Doctrine of Faith (“I believe”) This opening phrase is more than a declaration; it’s a confession of trust and a personal commitment. The word believe  goes beyond intellectual agreement; it involves faith that transforms the heart and life (Romans 10:9-10). This faith rests not on feelings or human wisdom but on the revelation of God’s Word. In saying “I believe,” the believer aligns himself with the truth of God, submitting to His authority and staking his life on His promises (Hebrews 11:1). It involves both trust and obedience (James 2:17). This emphasizes  personal faith:  Not merely intellectual agreement, but a deep trust and conviction.  2. The Doctrine of God (“in God”) The creed immediately centers belief on God; not just any god, but the one true and living God revealed in Scripture. This declaration echoes the Shema: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD” (Deuteron...
Read more

The Fifth Commandment: Honoring Authority and Reflecting God’s Order

Image
The Fifth Commandment: Honoring Authority and Reflecting God’s Order "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long..." — Exodus 20:12 (KJV) The Meaning and Scope of the Fifth Commandment The fifth commandment calls us to honor our parents, but its meaning extends beyond biological relationships. It establishes a broader principle of respect for all God-ordained authority in the home, church, and society. This commandment is unique because it comes with a promise: long life and blessing. It reflects God’s design for order, where submission to rightful authority brings peace and stability. While “parent” primarily refers to biological and adoptive parents, it also includes other authority figures God has placed over us: spiritual leaders (1 Corinthians 4:15), civil authorities (Romans 13:1–2), employers (Ephesians 6:5–7), and older, wiser individuals who provide guidance (Leviticus 19:32). These figures reflect God’s structure of authority in different are...
Read more