I. Name. Here is a volume which we call "The Holy Bible." The word "bible" means "books"—biblia, plural of Greek biblion, "book." So the Bible is "The Sacred Book," and by its very name calls attention to the fact that it is not one book, but many: 39 books in the Old Testament, 27 in the New—66 books in the Bible. Its composite nature is not less important for us to keep in mind than its unity. Especially is this true of the Old Testament, of which we speak mainly in this lesson.
II. Origin. How came these books into being? This is a question of the "higher criticism"—that is, the study of subjects back of and above those belonging to the meaning of the text; not higher because more important, but higher because pertaining to an earlier period. Certain conclusions, however, may be accepted.
1. Much of the contents of the Bible, especially of the Old Testament, was given orally, through stories, songs, and poems recited, through prophetic discourses, and through traditions handed down from generation to generation—a method of instruction universal before books were printed.
2. These oral teachings were written, some at the time when they were given, others later, sometimes after generations of oral repetition. The writing of different portions of the Bible was carried on at various times, in various places, and by various writers; perhaps through 1,600 years, and by more than 40 writers, most of whom have remained unknown. In the writing and rewriting He´brew scholars of Old Testament times did not hesitate to modify the older works as they saw reasons for so doing. We respect the "works of authors," and would not alter the language of Chaucer or Milton or Macaulay; but He´brew prophets and scribes in early times cared more for the contents than for the authorship of their sacred books.
3. As long as there were prophets in Is´ra-el and Ju´dah to declare the will of the Lord the need of a written and authoritative Scripture was scarcely recognized. But prophecy ceased about B. C. 450, and then began the work of the great scribes, of whom Ez´ra was the chief, in bringing together, editing, and copying the sacred books. Perhaps about B. C. 400 the Old Testament was practically complete. But it is evident that the precise text was not fixed for centuries afterward, as the earliest translation (the Septuagint; see below) shows that a text was followed different from that now read. The text of the He´brew Bible was not finally adopted until later than A. D 200.
III. Language. 1. Nearly all the Old Testament was written in He´brew, the language of the Is´ra-el-ites, called by the As-syr´i-ans on their monuments "the tongue of the west country," in the Bible "the lip of Ca´naan" (Isa. 19. 18) or "the Jews' language" (2 Kings 18. 26).
2. Certain parts of Dan´iel and Ez´ra and one verse of Jer-e-mi´ah (Jer. 10. 11) were written in Ar-a-ma´ic (2 Kings 18. 26, "Syr´i-an language"), often, though inaccurately, called Chal´dee.
IV. Form. 1. The books of the Old Testament were written upon parchment, the prepared skins of animals. The letters were large, and a manuscript roll embraced generally only one book; and several rolls were needed for the longer books.
2. Their use was almost entirely limited to the synagogue, and few copies were ever owned by private persons. After touching the roll of an inspired book one must wash his hands in running water before touching anything else.
3. When the synagogue rolls were well worn they were cut up into smaller pieces for use in the schools, where the Bible was the only text-book. When worn out they were burned or buried. The Jews did not preserve ancient writings, which is one reason why all the manuscripts of the Bible are of comparatively modern date.