Understanding the Origins of the Hebrew Bible

This article explores the origins, authors, collectors, and canonization of the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Tanakh. We begin with an overview of the three divisions of the Tanakh - the Torah, the Nevi'im, and the Ketuvim - and the books that make up each division. We then examine the early formation of Hebrew scriptures, the canonization of the Tanakh during the Hellenistic period, the Second Temple period, and the Rabbinic period. Finally, we address the debate over the authorship of the Hebrew Bible, drawing upon the research of prominent scholars such as Richard Elliott Friedman, Joel Baden, and James Kugel. While there is ongoing debate among scholars regarding the authorship of the Hebrew Bible, the text has played a central role in Jewish culture and identity.