Questions and Answers: Definition/Author of the Pentateuch? What is the Decalogue?

Narrator: Chris Genthree
 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 6
Listen from:
• BibleTruthPublishers.com
QUESTIONS: 1. What is the Pentateuch? 2. Who wrote it? 3. What is the Decalogue?
ANSWER: 1. The first five books of the Old Testament are generally known as the Pentateuch, although the Jews call them the "Torah." The word is from the Greek and means "five books.”
2. It was written by Moses. Cri tics and "would-be" wise men have sought to deny the authorship of Moses. We might add at this point that while Moses was the penman, he wrote as he was moved by the Holy Spirit. It is divinely given, although Moses was the instrument used to write it. There is abundant evidence that Moses wrote the Pentateuch, and we could refer to many scriptures in the New Testament where Moses' name is directly connected with it. The Lord Jesus Himself so speaks: "Have ye not read in the book of Moses?" (Mark 12:2626And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? (Mark 12:26)). "If they hear not Moses and the prophets" (Luke 16:3131And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:31)). "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets" (Luke 24:2727And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27)). See also John 5:46-4746For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 47But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? (John 5:46‑47) and 2 Cor. 3:1515But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. (2 Corinthians 3:15), which is a standing proof of the proof of Scripture. The Jews zealously guard the "Torah" and it is read regularly in their synagogues; yet, while it sp speaks of the Lord Jesus, the "veil is upon their heart" and they fail to see Him in it.
3. The word "Decaloguc" is of Greek origin and means "ten words," or the ten commandments. How blessed to know more than the Decalogue! "The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:1717For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)).