The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV, page 7
Heb.: Hebrew
i.e.: that is
Kt.: Kethib (literally, in Aramaic, “written”)—the written words of the Hebrew Old Testament preserved by the Masoretes (see “Qr.”)
Lat.: Latin
lit.: literally
LXX: Septuagint—an ancient translation of the Old Testament into Greek
M: Majority Text (see Preface, “The New Testament Text”)
Macc.: 1 and 2 Maccabees—two historical books in the noncanonical Apocrypha
masc.: masculine
mi.: mile/miles
ms., mss.: manuscript, manuscripts
Mt.: mount
MT: Masoretic Text—the traditional Hebrew Old Testament (see Preface, “The Old Testament Text”)
N: North
NT: New Testament
NU: the most prominent modern Critical Text of the Greek New Testament, published in the twenty-seventh edition of the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament and in the fourth edition of the United Bible Societies’ Greek New Testament (see Preface, “The New Testament Text”)
OT: Old Testament
pl.: plural
p.m.: noon to midnight
Qr.: Qere (literally, in Aramaic, “read”)—certain words read aloud, differing from the written words, in the Masoretic tradition of the Hebrew Old Testament (see “Kt.”)
S: South
Sam.: Samaritan Pentateuch—a variant Hebrew edition of the books of Moses, used by the Samaritan community
sing.: singular
Syr.: Syriac
Tg.: Targum—an Aramaic paraphrase of the Old Testament
TR: Textus Receptus or Received Text (see Preface, “The New Testament Text”)
v., vv.: verse, verses
vss.: versions—ancient translations of the Bible
Vg.: Vulgate—an ancient translation of the Bible into Latin, translated and edited by Jerome
W: West
Key to Parenthetical References
( ): exact text
(cf.): corroborative text
(see): amplifying/clarifying text
(contra.): contrasting text
Books of the Bible Abbreviations
The Old Testament
Genesis: Gen.
Exodus: Ex.
Leviticus: Lev.
Numbers: Num.
Deuteronomy: Deut.
Joshua: Josh.
Judges: Judg.
Ruth: Ruth
1 Samuel: 1 Sam.
2 Samuel: 2 Sam.
1 Kings: 1 Kin.
2 Kings: 2 Kin.
1 Chronicles: 1 Chr.
2 Chronicles: 2 Chr.
Ezra: Ezra
Nehemiah: Neh.
Esther: Esth.
Job: Job
Psalms: Ps.
Proverbs: Prov.
Ecclesiastes: Eccl.
Song of Solomon: Song
Isaiah: Is.
Jeremiah: Jer.
Lamentations: Lam.
Ezekiel: Ezek.
Daniel: Dan.
Hosea: Hos.
Joel: Joel
Amos: Amos
Obadiah: Obad.
Jonah: Jon.
Micah: Mic.
Nahum: Nah.
Habakkuk: Hab.
Zephaniah: Zeph.
Haggai: Hag.
Zechariah: Zech.
Malachi: Mal.
The New Testament
Matthew: Matt.
Mark: Mark
Luke: Luke
John: John
Acts: Acts
Romans: Rom.
1 Corinthians: 1 Cor.
2 Corinthians: 2 Cor.
Galatians: Gal.
Ephesians: Eph.
Philippians: Phil.
Colossians: Col.
1 Thessalonians: 1 Thess.
2 Thessalonians: 2 Thess.
1 Timothy: 1 Tim.
2 Timothy: 2 Tim.
Titus: Titus
Philemon: Philem.
Hebrews: Heb.
James: James
1 Peter: 1 Pet.
2 Peter: 2 Pet.
1 John: 1 John
2 John: 2 John
3 John: 3 John
Jude: Jude
Revelation: Rev.
The Progress of Revelation
OLD TESTAMENT
Book: 1. Job
Approximate Writing Date: Unknown
Author: Anonymous
Book: 2. Genesis
Approximate Writing Date: 1445-1405 B.C.
Author: Moses
Book: 3. Exodus
Approximate Writing Date: 1445-1405 B.C.
Author: Moses
Book: 4. Leviticus
Approximate Writing Date: 1445-1405 B.C.
Author: Moses
Book: 5. Numbers
Approximate Writing Date: 1445-1405 B.C.
Author: Moses
Book: 6. Deuteronomy
Approximate Writing Date: 1445-1405 B.C.
Author: Moses
Book: 7. Psalms
Approximate Writing Date: 1410-450 B.C.
Author: Multiple Authors
Book: 8. Joshua
Approximate Writing Date: 1405-1385 B.C.
Author: Joshua
Book: 9. Judges
Approximate Writing Date: ca. 1043 B.C.
Author: Samuel
Book: 10. Ruth
Approximate Writing Date: ca. 1030-1010 B.C.
Author: Samuel (?)
Book: 11. Song of Solomon
Approximate Writing Date: 971-965 B.C.
Author: Solomon
Book: 12. Proverbs
Approximate Writing Date: 971-686 B.C.
Author: Solomon primarily
Book: 13. Ecclesiastes
Approximate Writing Date: 940-931 B.C.
Author: Solomon
Book: 14. 1 Samuel
Approximate Writing Date: 931-722 B.C.
Author: Anonymous
Book: 15. 2 Samuel
Approximate Writing Date: 931-722 B.C.
Author: Anonymous
Book: 16. Obadiah
Approximate Writing Date: 850-840 B.C.
Author: Obadiah
Book: 17. Joel
Approximate Writing Date: 835-796 B.C.
Author: Joel
Book: 18. Jonah
Approximate Writing Date: ca. 760 B.C.
Author: Jonah
Book: 19. Amos
Approximate Writing Date: ca. 755 B.C.
Author: Amos
Book: 20. Hosea
Approximate Writing Date: 755-710 B.C.
Author: Hosea
Book: 21. Micah
Approximate Writing Date: 735-710 B.C.
Author: Micah
Book: 22. Isaiah
Approximate Writing Date: 700-681 B.C.
Author: Isaiah
Book: 23. Nahum
Approximate Writing Date: ca. 650 B.C.
Author: Nahum
Book: 24. Zephaniah
Approximate Writing Date: 635-625 B.C.
Author: Zephaniah
Book: 25. Habakkuk
Approximate Writing Date: 615-605 B.C.
Author: Habakkuk
Book: 26. Ezekiel
Approximate Writing Date: 590-570 B.C.
Author: Ezekiel
Book: 27. Lamentations
Approximate Writing Date: 586 B.C.
Author: Jeremiah
Book: 28. Jeremiah
Approximate Writing Date: 586-570 B.C.
Author: Jeremiah
Book: 29. 1 Kings
Approximate Writing Date: 561-538 B.C.
Author: Anonymous
Book: 30. 2 Kings
Approximate Writing Date: 561-538 B.C.
Author: Anonymous
Book: 31. Daniel
Approximate Writing Date: 536-530 B.C.
Author: Daniel
Book: 32. Haggai
Approximate Writing Date: ca. 520 B.C.
Author: Haggai
Book: 33. Zechariah
Approximate Writing Date: 480-470 B.C.
Author: Zechariah
Book: 34. Ezra
Approximate Writing Date: 457-444 B.C.
Author: Ezra
Book: 35. 1 Chronicles
Approximate Writing Date: 450-430 B.C.
Author: Ezra (?)
Book: 36. 2 Chronicles
Approximate Writing Date: 450-430 B.C.
Author: Ezra (?)
Book: 37. Esther
Approximate Writing Date: 450-331 B.C.
Author: Anonymous
Book: 38. Malachi
Approximate Writing Date: 433-424 B.C.
Author: Malachi
Book: 39. Nehemiah
Approximate Writing Date: 424-400 B.C.
Author: Ezra
NEW TESTAMENT
Book: 1. James
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 44-49
Author: James
Book: 2. Galatians
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 49-50
Author: Paul
Book: 3. Matthew
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 50-60
Author: Matthew
Book: 4. Mark
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 50-60
Author: Mark
Book: 5. 1 Thessalonians
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 51
Author: Paul
Book: 6. 2 Thessalonians
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 51-52
Author: Paul
Book: 7. 1 Corinthians
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 55
Author: Paul
Book: 8. 2 Corinthians
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 55-56
Author: Paul
Book: 9. Romans
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 56
Author: Paul
Book: 10. Luke
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 60-61
Author: Luke
Book: 11. Ephesians
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 60-62
Author: Paul
Book: 12. Philippians
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 60-62
Author: Paul
Book: 13. Colossians
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 60-62
Author: Paul
Book: 14. Philemon
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 60-62
Author: Paul
Book: 15. Acts
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 62
Author: Luke
Book: 16. 1 Timothy
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 62-64
Author: Paul
Book: 17. Titus
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 62-64
Author: Paul
Book: 18. 1 Peter
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 64-65
Author: Peter
Book: 19. 2 Timothy
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 66-67
Author: Paul
Book: 20. 2 Peter
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 67-68
Author: Peter
Book: 21. Hebrews
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 67-69
Author: Unknown
Book: 22. Jude
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 68-70
Author: Jude
Book: 23. John
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 80-90
Author: John
Book: 24. 1 John
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 90-95
Author: John
Book: 25. 2 John
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 90-95
Author: John
Book: 26. 3 John
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 90-95
Author: John
Book: 27. Revelation
Approximate Writing Date: A.D. 94-96
Author: John
The Old Testament
Introduction to the Pentateuch
The first 5 books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) form a complete literary unit called the Pentateuch, meaning “five scrolls.” The 5 independent books of the Pentateuch were written as an unbroken unity in content and historical sequence, with each succeeding book beginning where the former left off.
Genesis’ first words, “In the beginning God created …” (Gen. 1:1) imply the reality of God’s eternal or “before time” existence and announce the spectacular transition to time and space. While the exact date of creation cannot be determined, it certainly would be estimated to be thousands of years ago, not millions. Starting with Abraham (ca. 2165–1990 B.C.) in Gen. 11, this book of beginnings spans over 300 years to the death of Joseph in Egypt (ca. 1804 B.C.). There is then another gap of almost 300 years until the birth of Moses in Egypt (ca. 1525 B.C.; Ex. 2).
Exodus begins with the words “Now these are the names” (Ex. 1:1), listing those of the family of Jacob who went down to Egypt to be with Joseph toward the end of Gen. (Gen. 46ff.). The second book of the Pentateuch, which records the escape of the Israelites from Egypt, concludes when the cloud which led the people through the wilderness descends upon the newly constructed tabernacle.
The first Hebrew words of Leviticus may be translated, “Now the LORD called to Moses” (Lev. 1:1). From the cloud of God’s Presence in the tabernacle of meeting (Lev. 1:1), God summons Moses in order to prescribe to him the ceremonial law which told Israel how they must approach their Holy LORD. Leviticus concludes with, “These are the commandments which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai” (Lev. 27:34).
Numbers, much like Leviticus, commences with God commissioning Moses at the tabernacle of meeting, this time to take a census in preparation for war against Israel’s enemies. The book’s title in the Hebrew Bible accurately represents the content—“Wilderness.” Due to lack of trust in God, Israel did not want to engage its enemies militarily in order to claim the Promised Land. After 40 additional years in the wilderness for their rebellion, Israel arrived on the plains of Moab.
Despite the fact that “It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea” (Deut. 1:2), the journey took Israel 40 years due to their rebellion against God. Moses preached the book of Deuteronomy as a sermon on the Plains of Moab in preparation for God’s people to enter the land of covenant promise (Gen. 12:1–3). The title Deuteronomy is from the Gr. phrase deuteros nomos, meaning “second law.” The book focuses on the restatement and, to some extent, the reapplication of the law to Israel’s new circumstances.
Moses was the human author of the Pentateuch (Ex. 17:14; 24:4; Num. 33:1, 2; Deut. 31:9; Josh. 1:8; 2 Kin. 21:8); thus, another title for the collection is “The Books of Moses.” Through Moses, God revealed Himself, His former works, Israel’s family history, and its role in His plan of redemption for mankind. The Pentateuch is foundational to all the rest of Scripture.
Quoted or alluded to thousands of times in the OT and in the NT, the Pentateuch was Israel’s first inspired body of Scripture. For many years, this alone was Israel’s Bible. Another common title for this section of Scripture is Torah or Law, nomenclature which looks at the didactic nature of these books. The Israelites were to meditate upon it (Josh. 1:8), teach it to their children (Deut. 6:4-8), and read it publicly (Neh. 8:1ff.). Just before his death and Israel’s move into the Promised Land, Moses set forth the process by which public reading would make its way into human hearts and change their relationship with God, and ultimately their conduct:
Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully observe all the words of this law.
Deut. 31:12
The relationships between the commands is important. The people must: 1) gather to hear the law in order to learn what is required of them and what it has to say about God; 2) learn about the LORD in order to fear Him based on a correct understanding of who He is; and 3) fear God in order to be correctly motivated to obedience and good works. Good works performed for any other reason will be improperly motivated. The priests taught the law to the families (Mal. 2:4–7) and the parents instructed the children within the home (Deut. 6:4ff.). Instruction in the law, in short, would provide the right foundation for the OT believer’s relationship with God.
Chronology of Old Testament Patriarchs and Judges
Because the Israelites’ knowledge of the world in which they lived came through the Egyptians, as well as their ancestors the Mesopotamians, there was much confusion about the creation of the world, how it got to its present state, and how Israel had come into existence. Genesis 1-11 helped Israel understand the origin and nature of creation, human labor, sin, marriage, murder, death, bigamy, judgment, the multiplicity of languages, cultures, etc. These chapters established the worldview which explained the remainder of Israel’s first Bible, the Pentateuch.
The later portion of Genesis explained to Israel who they were, including the purpose God had for them as a people. In Gen. 12:1–3, God had appeared to Abraham and made a 3-fold promise to give them a land, descendants, and blessing. Years later, in a ceremony typical to Abraham’s culture, God recast the 3-fold promise into a covenant (Gen. 15:7ff.). The remainder of Genesis treats the fulfillment of all 3 promises, but focuses especially on the seed or descendants. The barrenness of each of the patriarchs’ chosen wives taught Israel the importance of trust and patience in waiting for children from God.
The rest of the Pentateuch looks at the way in which the promises of Gen. 12:1-3 expand in the Abrahamic Covenant and achieve their initial stages of fulfillment. Exodus and Leviticus focus more on the blessing of relationship with God. In Exodus, Israel meets the God of their fathers and is led forth by Him from Egypt to the Promised Land. Leviticus underscores the meticulous care with which the people and priests were to approach God in worship and every dimension of their lives. Holiness and cleanness come together in simple and practical ways. Numbers and Deuteronomy focus on the journey to and preparation for the Land. The Pentateuch treats many issues related to Israel’s relationship with their God. But the underlying theme of the Pentateuch is the initial, unfolding fulfillments of God’s promises made to Abraham.
A Harmony of the Books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles
I. THE KINGSHIP OF GOD (1 Sam. 1:1-7:17; 1 Chr. 1:1-9:44)
A. Genealogical Tables (1 Chr. 1:1-9:44)
1. Genealogies of the Patriarchs (1 Chr. 1:1—2:2)
2. Genealogies of the Tribes of Israel (1 Chr. 2:3—9:44)
B. The Close of the Theocracy (1 Sam. 1:1-7:17)
1. The Early Life of Samuel (1 Sam. 1:1–4:1a)
