Definition and Significance of the Old Testament
The Old Testament refers to the collection of sacred writings that Christians consider the first division of the Christian biblical canon, preceding the New Testament. The term "Old Testament" itself implies a contrast with a "New Testament" or "New Covenant" [2, 7]. The Greek word diatheke, often translated as "testament," is more accurately rendered as "covenant" in many New Testament contexts, highlighting the contractual nature of God's relationship with humanity [3].
The Old Testament was regarded by its original audience as divinely inspired Scripture, a record of God's revealed will [1]. This collection of books was enlarged over time as God raised up individuals to record His revelations [1]. The text was typically preserved on skins, rolled into volumes, similar to modern synagogue scrolls [5]. The Hebrew word olam, translated as "old" or "of old," refers to a long duration, antiquity, or past time [6, 12].
Key theological concepts within the Old Testament include the covenant, which is central to Deuteronomy and arguably the entire Old Testament [10]. This covenant established a legal arrangement between God and Israel, outlining mutually binding obligations, notably the Ten Commandments [10]. The Old Testament also teaches the doctrine of immortality, which is implied in the writings of Moses and more explicitly taught in later books like Isaiah and Psalms [4].
For Christians, the Old Testament is understood in light of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the fulfillment of its prophecies and teachings [9]. Jesus did not abolish the law and the prophets but fulfilled their purpose [9]. The New Testament, or "New Covenant," is considered to supersede the "old covenant of works" [2]. This new covenant is described as "ever fresh, flourishing, and excellent," dispensed in a more clear and spiritual manner [2]. The apostle Paul, in Hebrews, discusses the new covenant as making the first one "old" and "near to vanishing away" [7]. The death of Christ is understood to ratify this new covenant, ensuring forgiveness and an eternal inheritance [11]. The prophets of the Old Testament are seen as having foretold the coming of Jesus Christ, providing a strong argument for the truth of the gospel [8].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Scripture — Invariably in the New Testament denotes that definite collection of sacred books, regarded as given by inspiration of God, which we usually call the Old Testament (2 Tim. 3:15, 16; John 20:9; Gal. 3:22; 2 Pet. 1:20). It was God's purpose thus to perpetuate his revealed will. From time to time he raised up men to commit to writing in an infallible record the revelation he gave. The "Scripture," or collection of sacred writings, was thus enlarged from time to time as God saw necessary. We have now a completed "Scripture," consisting of the Old and New Testa”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: New Testament — (Luke 22:20), rather "New Covenant," in contrast to the old covenant of works, which is superseded. "The covenant of grace is called new; it succeeds to the old broken covenant of works. It is ever fresh, flourishing, and excellent; and under the gospel it is dispensed in a more clear, spiritual, extensive, and powerful manner than of old" (Brown of Haddington). Hence is derived the name given to the latter portion of the Bible. (See [438]TESTAMENT.)”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Testament — Occurs twelve times in the New Testament (Heb. 9:15, etc.) as the rendering of the Gr. diatheke, which is twenty times rendered "covenant" in the Authorized Version, and always so in the Revised Version. The Vulgate translates incorrectly by testamentum, whence the names "Old" and "New Testament," by which we now designate the two sections into which the Bible is divided. (See [629]BIBLE.)”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Immortality — Perpetuity of existence. The doctrine of immortality is taught in the Old Testament. It is plainly implied in the writings of Moses (Gen. 5:22, 24; 25:8; 37:35; 47:9; 49:29, comp. Heb. 11:13-16; Ex. 3:6, comp. Matt. 22:23). It is more clearly and fully taught in the later books (Isa. 14:9; Ps. 17:15; 49:15; 73:24). It was thus a doctrine obviously well known to the Jews. With the full revelation of the gospel this doctrine was "brought to light" (2 Tim. 1:10; 1 Cor. 15; 2 Cor. 5:1-6; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Old Testament — I. TEXT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.-- + History of the text. -A history of the text of the Old Testament should properly commence from the date of the completion of the canon. As regards the form in which the sacred writings were little doubt that the text was ordinarily were preserved, there can be written on skins, rolled up into volumes, like the modern synagogue rolls. (Psalms 40:7; Jeremiah 36:14; Ezekiel 2:9; Zechariah 5:1) The original character in which the text was expressed is that still preserved to us, with the exception of four letters, on the M”
- STEPBible TBESG “[H5769] H5769J = in Hebrew of (H5769G) — : old/ancient<br>1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world<br>1a) ancient time, long time (of past)<br>1b) (of future)<br>1b1) for ever, always<br>1b2) continuous existence, perpetual<br>1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity”
- Hebrews “In that he says, “A new covenant”, he has made the first old. But that which is becoming old and grows aged is near to vanishing away. -- Hebrews 8:13”
- 2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 1:19: In these words the apostle lays down another argument to prove the truth and reality of the gospel, and intimates that this second proof is more strong and convincing than the former, and more unanswerably makes out that the doctrine of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is not a mere fable or cunning contrivance of men, but the wise and wonderful counsel of the holy and gracious God. For this is foretold by the prophets and penmen of the Old Testament, who spoke and wrote under the influence and according to the direction of the Spirit of God. Here no”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 5:17: 5:17 Abolish would mean to eliminate and replace the law of Moses and the writings of the prophets (i.e., the whole Old Testament) as the revelation of God’s will. • Accomplish their purpose might mean to obey them perfectly, to complete their teaching, or to bring about the fulfillment of their prophecies (see 1:22; 2:15, 17, 23). Jesus himself is the realization of all that both the Prophets and the Law taught and expected. Now that Christ, the fulfillment, has come, the Old Testament must be understood in light of him (Luke 24:26, 44).”
- Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 4:13: 4:13 The covenant is the key theological idea of Deuteronomy and perhaps of the entire Old Testament. A covenant was a legal arrangement involving two or more parties who entered into agreements with mutually binding obligations. The covenant at Sinai (Exod 20–23) codified this relationship between the Lord and Israel; in Deuteronomy, Moses interpreted and expanded the covenant for the new generation that was about to conquer and occupy the Promised Land. • The Ten Commandments (literally the ten words, “decalogue”) are so much at the heart of the covenant te”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 9:15: for this cause--Because of the all-cleansing power of His blood, this fits Him to be Mediator (Heb 8:6, ensuring to both parties, God and us, the ratification) of the new covenant, which secures both forgiveness for the sins not covered by the former imperfect covenant or testament, and also an eternal inheritance to the called. by means of death--rather, as Greek, "death having taken place." At the moment that His death took place, the necessary effect is, "the called receive the (fulfilment of the) promise" (so Luk 24:49 uses "promise"; Heb 6:15; ”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 32:7: OF OLD. Olam (of old) means the time that has past.”