Q: Exactly how do you pronounce
"Torah", and what does it mean?
A: The Merriam-Webster Dictionary
pronounces it as TOR-ah with a long "o", schwa on the "a", and the accent on the
first syllable. The Torah consists of the first five books of the Bible, Genesis
through Deuteronomy.
Torah is often translated as "Law". However, it has a
broader meaning than just "Law", and a better translation is "instruction". For
example, Clement of Alexandria in his Stromata 1:28 (183-217 A.D.)
divided the Torah into four topics:
Historic
Legislative / ethical
Sacrifice / physical science
Theology / vision.
It can also be
divided into other classifications.
Q: Why do people think Moses
wrote the first five books (called the Torah)?
A: There are at least
three reasons.
1. Jesus referred to these as written by Moses in
Matthew 1:44; 10:3-5, 12:26; Luke 16:29,31; 20:37; John 3:14; 5:46; 6:32; 7:19;
7:23.
2. Others recognized the Torah as written by Moses. Matthew
12:19; Luke 2:22; 5:14; 20:28; 24:27,44; John 1:17; 1:45; 8:5; 9:28; Acts 3:22;
6:11,14; 13:39; 15:1,5; 15:21; 21:21; 26:22; 28:23; 1 Corinthians 9:9.
Outside of the Bible, others such as Justin Martyr (wrote about 138-150
A.D.) in his Hortatory Address to the Greeks chapter 29) quotes Exodus 25
and says this is by Moses.
3. Moses could have written all of this
down himself (he had 47 years to do so) or he may have had a secretary write
down some or all of it. A secretary may have appended some things, such as the
chapter on Moses’ death, but regardless of how they were written down, God gave
the books through Moses.
For more information, read Gleason Archer’s, A
Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Moody Press. p.108-123,
Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.45-51, and Evidence That Demands
a Verdict volume 2 p.95-120. The Talmud (Baba Bathra 146) says Joshua added
the part about Moses’ death.
Q: Did Moses write every single
word of the Torah?
A: Probably not. But that is OK because it is God and
not Moses whom we trust for giving and preserving what He wants us to read.
Exodus 6:26-27, 16:33-36 could have been written by Moses if Moses chose to
write these parts in the third person. Moses was a prophet, but writing about
his own death in Deuteronomy 31:9,24 would be unusual. However, none of these
three examples indicate anything written later than Moses’ time. See
Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.112-113 and p.153-154 and When
Critics Ask p.132 for more info.
Q: In general, how could the
first five books be by Moses, since people [allegedly] could not write back
then?
A: In the mid-nineteenth century, many liberal so-called Christian
teachers taught that the Bible came through centuries of oral tradition since
people could not write in Moses’ time. Since then, the first writing we have
found was 1,800 years prior to Moses. 30,000 Sumerian tables have been found,
including 4,000 in the city of Uruk, dated 3,000 B.C., and 20,000 tablets in the
important city of Mari. 14,000-15,000 inscriptions on clay tablets have been
uncovered in the city of Ebla, (2500-2200 B.C.), including one mentioning the
name Abraham. By Moses’ time, it is now believed that even the slaves could read
and write. Of course, Moses was raised in the Egyptian court and had a thorough
education (See Acts 7:22).
Even a common slave could learn from simply
reading all the inscriptions on the walls of the various temples and tombs. One
might say that for people who still cling to the oral tradition theory, they
need to read the writing on the wall, too. For more discussion see
Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.51-54. For more on Ebla, see the
National Geographic Magazine December 1978 p.731-759.
Q: Is there any historical
evidence for a "hexateuch" or collection of the Torah plus just the book of
Joshua?
A: There is none whatsoever. Three pieces of contrary evidence
are that:
1. The Samaritans accepted only the Torah (first five
books) as scripture.
2. The Sadducees likewise accepted the same
books as having full scriptural authority.
3. Orthodox Jews accepted
the same Old Testament as Protestants, but they divided it into three parts,
Torah, prophets, and writings.
Q: What is the JEPD Theory, what
are arguments for it, and why is it wrong?
A: The JEPD Theory, or
Documentary Hypothesis, is taught in many university Bible courses today. It was
developed in the 19th century by Julius Wellhausen and others, when scholars
thought few could write in Moses' time. It claims the Bible's first five books
(as well as Joshua) were oral tradition written down many centuries after Moses,
by at least four or five different authors.
Jehovist source
(c.850 B.C.) for passages where the divine name is used, such as Gen 1-2:3;
7:2-3.
Elohist source (c.750 B.C.) where the word Elohim is
used for God, such as Genesis 2:4-3:3.
Priestly source (c.450
B.C.) for verses pertaining to the temple, such as Leviticus and Gen 6:19-20.
Deuteronomist source (c.622 B.C.) for most of the book of
Deuteronomy.
Holiness source (575 B.C.) for Leviticus 17-20 is
a variation on the JEPD theory.
In general, the JEPD theory used to
teach that the Bible misrepresents itself and the Torah was edited into the form
we have today about 200 B.C. However, we have a copy of Exodus and Leviticus
from the Dead Sea scrolls dated 250 B.C.
…What the Bible Writers Said
Moses wrote down what the Lord had said in Exodus 24:4-7 and Exodus
34:27.
The LORD spoke in Joshua 1:7-8 about being careful to obey all
the law Moses gave him in the Book of the Law. See also Joshua 8:31-34; 23:6.
In Josiah's time, 2 Chronicles 34:14 mentions that they found the
Book of the Law which Moses gave.
Jesus and the gospel writers
mention the Law being through Moses in Mark 7:10; 10:3-5; 12:26; Luke 2:22;
5:14; 16:29-31; 20:28,37; 24:27,44; John 1:45; 5:45-47; 7:19,23; 8:5; 9:29
The apostle Paul in refers to the writings of Moses in Romans 10:5; 1
Corinthians 9:9; and 2 Corinthians 3:15.
Other New Testament books
mentioning Moses are Acts 3:22; 6:14; 13:39; 15:1,21; 26:22; 28:23; Hebrews
9:19; Revelation 15:3.
Other verses which Evidence That Demands a Verdict
volume 2 p.95-98 mentions as saying were written by Moses and/or in his time
are: Deuteronomy 31:9,24-26; Exodus 17:14; Numbers 33:2; 1 Kings 2:3; 2 Kings
14:6; 23:25; 1 Chronicles 22:13; 2 Chronicles 5:10; 23:18; 25:4; 30:16; 33:8;
35:12; Ezra 3:2; 6:18; 7:6; Nehemiah 1:7,8; 8:1,14; 9:14; 10:29; 13:1; Daniel
9:11,13; Malachi 4:4.
Isaiah 59:21 (NIV) promises, "'As for me, this
is my covenant with the.' Says the LORD. 'My Spirit, who is on you, and my words
that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the
mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time
on and forever.' Says the LORD."
Now Moses might have written all the Torah
on parchment himself, since he had over 40 years. Alternately, he might have had
scribes do it. A few words might have been edited later, and Moses probably did
not write of his own death. Apart from these exceptions though, the Bible
writers, all Jewish teachers (Philo, Josephus, etc.), early Christian writers,
and those who trust the Bible today believe
a) The Torah (Law) was
written in the time of Moses,
b) by Moses or through scribes under
his direction,
c) as a reliable transmission of God's word.
The
JEPD theory denies all three points.
…Criteria for Judgment
When
people say something is true or false, they should state their criteria for
making their assessment. In general, when a document claims to be written by
someone in a particular time period, the benefit of the doubt goes to the claim,
unless there are substantial reasons to think otherwise. For example, we have no
record that Julius Caesar ever took his armies on campaigns in Gaul, except for
his own history. Yet no one doubts he did this. It is not being objective to
have one standard for secular history, and a more skeptical standard for history
by religious people.
The following are arguments for and against the JEPD
theory, with rebuttals to each point in italics. The "terrain" of the
battlefield has changed significantly since the JEPD theory was introduced, with
each tiny blow from the archaeologist's pick gradually tearing down the wall of
respectability of this 19th century theory.
…Multiple Author Arguments
for JEPD
Difference in divine names used for God: Elohim is used 33
times in the first 34 verses, and "Yahweh-Elohim" 20 times in the next 45
verses.
This deliberately expressed first the universal, transcendent
nature of God, followed by His more personal aspects. There is a similar
situation in the Muslim Quran. "Allah" predominates in later, Medina suras,
while "Lord" is often is used, and Allah is seldom used in the earlier Meccan
suras.
Supposed Anachronisms: In Exodus 6:2-3 God says He did not
make Himself known to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by His Name of Yahweh. This name
appears 197 places prior to Exodus 6:2-3.
Saying "Columbus landed in
America" is not anachronistic, and do not forget Genesis was not written down
until the time of Moses. Also, it does not say never revealed before then, only
not revealed to these three people. Of course, most of the dialogues are likely
paraphrases.
Doublets of Separate Events: Gen 1 & Gen 2. Gen
4:17-24 & Gen 4:25-32. Gen 12:19-20 & Gen 26:7-11. Gen 15 & Gen 17.
Similarity does not prove repetition. For example, Genesis 1 is the
creation of the earth, and Genesis 2 is the creation of man in the Garden of
Eden. In Genesis 12:19-20, if a son looked up to his father, and his father
passed his wife off as his sister and never told the son this was wrong, the son
would be more likely to do the same. Isaac did the same in Genesis 26:7-11.
Doublets of summary or qualification: Gen 9:19-20 & Gen
7:2-3. Gen 12:1-5 & Gen 4b-9. Gen 32:22-32 & Gen 35:9-10.
Ancient
literature often summarized too.
Alleged contradictions: Gen
1:12,26 & Gen 2:5-7. Gen 1:24,27 & Gen 2:7,19.
God created plants
before man, but the plants of the field (crops) were all after man in Genesis
2:5-7. Genesis 2:7,19 shows the animals had been created, that they were
not created until then.
Different writing styles are present.
The same person can use various writing styles for different topics, and
at different times in their life. For example, C.S. Lewis wrote children's
stories, science fiction, and theology, and his style is more varied than
differences in the Torah.
…Time Period Arguments Against JEPD
Who
would know these time period details? In the 19th century, Bible critics
could point to many details of the Torah that had no extra-Biblical backing.
Hittite cities in Palestine, no evidence of Sodom and Gomorrah, names such as
Abram and Arioch, all the peoples, etc. In the 20th century we have found
evidence for all of these, including 51 or the 68 peoples mentioned and 13 of 16
cities.
Who would know the details of ancient Egypt? Even Bible
critics today sometimes make the mistake of saying things like Egypt must have
had a closed border, there is no evidence of Hebrews, etc. However, secular
archaeologists such as David M. Rohl have found evidence of Asiatic long-tail
sheep in Goshen first appearing in exactly this time period. Lists of slaves in
Egypt around 1540 B.C. specifically mention slaves from the tribes of Issachar
and Asher. A large villa has been found that might have been Joseph's home.
Asiatic names of only that time period have been found such as Shiphrah.
For "J": Genesis 1 appears as a contrast, almost to refute the
Gilgamesh Epic, which was written about 2500 B.C.
For "E": Genesis 2
has some similarities to the Sumerian Dilmun poem, written about 2400 B.C.
Clearly if two works of literature have similarities, which suggest a similar
time period.
For "P": There is now no valid reason to date Levitical
sacrificial laws late, according to scholar Joseph P. Free, because similarities
appear in Ugaritic material from the 14th century B.C.
For "D": The
outline of Deuteronomy is very similar to Suzerainty Treaties prior to 1000 B.C.
…Unity Arguments Against JEPD
Over 92 verses are split between
different "authors" according to the liberal Interpreter’s One-Volume
Commentary.
Gen 2:4; 7:16,17; 8:2,3,13; 10:1; 12:4; 13:11,12; 16:1;
19:30; 21:1,2,6; 25:11,26; 31:18; 32:13; 33:18; 35:22; 37:25,28; 41:46; 42:28;
45:1,5; 46:1; 47:5,6,27; 48:9,10; 49:1,28
Exodus 1:20; 2:23; 3:4; 4:20;
7:15,17,20,21; 8:15; 9:23,24,35; 10:1,13,15; 12:27; 13:3; 14:9,19,20,21,27;
15:21,22,25; 15:13,15; 17:1,2,7; 19:2,3,9,11,13; 24:12,15,18; 25:18; 31:18;
32:8,34,35; 33:5,19; 34:1,11,14
Numbers 13:17,26; 14:1; 16:1,2,26,27; 20:22.
(Deuteronomy is considered entirely "D".)
Just how many verses would
need to be split in the middle by this theory, before this theory is no longer
tenable? 91 verses is probably too many.
Q: Did God reliably preserve the
Torah?
A: Yes, both scripture and archaeology indicate there are no
significant changes in our copies today for four reasons:
1. God
promised to preserve His word in Isaiah 55:10-11; 59:21; 1 Peter 1:24-25,
Matthew 24:35.
2. Jesus and the New Testament confirmed the Old
Testament scriptures in Matthew 19:4; 22:32,37; 39; 23:35; Mark 10:3-6; Luke
2:23-24; 4:4; 11:51; 20:37; 24:27,44
3. Archaeological evidence: In
the Septuagint, the Torah translated into Greek around 400 B.C. The Dead Sea
Scrolls were from about 100 B.C. to after the time of Christ, and we can compare
them with our Bibles today. Aramaic Targums are translations made around the
time of Jesus. The Dead Sea Scrolls are about 95,000 fragments from 867
manuscripts of the Old Testament and other writings. About 1/3 of the Dead Sea
scrolls are manuscripts of the Old Testament according to The NIV Study
Bible p.1432.
4. Confirmation by the early church writers,
including Ignatius and Polycarp, who were disciples of the apostle John.
For
more info, see Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix, A General Introduction
to the Bible. Moody. p.321-382.
Q: For Muslims, what evidence is
there from their Quran that the Bible was originally from God?
A:
Muslims I have spoken with will freely acknowledge the Bible was originally
given by God, but here are reasons, from their own Quran, why they should
believe this.
1. The Quran mentions many prophets and godly people
in common with the Bible.
These include: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,
Job, Moses, David, Solomon, Elijah, Elishah, Jonah, John the Baptist, Jesus, and
his apostles.
Sura 8:84-85 "We gave him [to Abraham] Isaac and Jacob, all
(three) We guided; and before him we guided Noah and among his progeny David,
Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron; Thus do we reward those who do good; And
Zakariya and John [the Baptist] and Jesus and Elias [Elijah] all in the ranks of
the righteous."
Sura 32:23 "We did indeed aforetime give the book to Moses.
Be not then in doubt of its reaching (thee): and We made it a guide to the
children of Israel."
Sura 6:91 "No just estimate of Allah do they make when
they say: ‘Nothing doth Allah send down to man (by way of revelation)’: say ‘Who
then sent down the book which Moses brought? - a light and guidance to man;..."
2. The Quran says Allah gave His words to these prophets
Sura 4:150-151 "Those who deny Allah and his messengers, and wish to
separate between Allah and his messengers, Saying: ‘We believe in some but
reject others’: and wish to take a course midway, (151) They are in truth
unbelievers;..."
Sura 3:48 says, "And Allah will teach him [Jesus] the book
and Wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel.
Sura 29:46 shows you should believe
in the Bible: "...‘We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in
that which came down to you..."
Q: For Muslims, what evidence is
there from their Quran that the Torah is reliably preserved today?
A: From my experience, I feel many Muslims apparently are not clear on
what their own Quran teaches on this topic. Here are four points, followed by an
explanation of each point.
1. The Quran never says it was
corrupted
2. Rather it says Allah preserves His word.
3.
Jesus confirmed the Bible in His time, and
4. Archaeological evidence
goes back to the time of Jesus.
1. The Quran never said the Bible
was corrupted.
Sura 2:75 says some people, perhaps Jews of Medina,
perverted God’s word knowingly after they understood it. It does not say they
corrupted scripture, either their own or all the world’s. Also, they could not
pervert God’s word knowingly unless they still had God’s word. Also see Sura
3:48.
2. The Quran says that Allah preserves His word.
Sura 5:46 says, "And in their [the prophets’] footsteps we sent Jesus
the son of Mary, confirming the Torah that had come before him: we sent him the
gospel; therein was guidance and light. And confirmation of the Torah that had
come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah". Jesus
had to have the authentic Torah to confirm.
It goes on. Sura 5:47 goes on to
say "Let the People of the Gospel Judge by what Allah hath revealed Therein...."
If the People of the Gospel are to judge by what God has revealed in the Gospel,
how can the Gospel they are to judge by not be the Gospel God told them to judge
by?
Sura 5:48 says "To thee [People of the Book] We sent the scripture in
truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety:
so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain
desires, diverging from the truth that hath come to thee...." See also Sura
5:66,68,70.
Notice that Allah 1. confirmed the scripture that came before
it, and 2. guarded it in safety. Dear Muslim, do you believe what the
Quran says about God guarding the scripture of the people of the book?
Sura 15:9-10 says "We have, without doubt, Sent down the Message; And We
will assuredly Guard it [from corruption]. We did send messengers before thee
Amongst the sects of old:" Sura 15:9 does not say just the "Quran" was guarded,
but "the message."
Sura 10:94 says doubters should ask those who have been
reading "the Book" before Mohammed.
3. Jesus’ Confirmation of the Torah
in His time.
Sura 3:48 says, "And Allah will teach him [Jesus] the book
and Wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel.
The Quran, Sura 5:46 says,
"And in their [prophets’] footsteps we sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming
the Torah that had come before him: we sent him the gospel; therein was guidance
and light. And confirmation of the Torah that had come before him: a guidance
and an admonition to those who fear Allah"
If Jesus confirmed the Torah that
was preserved in His time, it is perilous to reject what Jesus confirmed.
The Quran, Sura 3:50 says, "‘I [Jesus] have come to you), to attest
the Torah which was before me. ... I have come to you with a Sign from your
Lord. So fear Allah, and obey me." People have a near impossible time trying to
do the following.
1. Fear God, yet think He is unable/unwilling to
preserve the revelation His followers are obeying.
2. Obey Jesus, yet
reject both His words and the Torah He confirmed.
4. Archaeological
evidence of the Old Testament
Archaeology shows the Bible Jesus knew was
preserved. See the question, Did God reliably preserve the Torah? for
more info.
