Why is the bible divided into two columns?

Answer 1

Many people feel it really shouldn't be.

Those that have published Bibles over the years, have divided it up into the

Old Testament- highlighting the information related to the Israelites, and the New Testament-highlighting the information related to Christian congregation, but it's really all one work inspired by God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says that ALL SCRIPTURE is inspired by God and beneficial...The whole Bible works together to teach us God's will and our role in that will.

The Hebrew Scriptures(OT-written primarily in the Hebrew language, before the birth of Christ) contain the history of mankind, the reason for sin and suffering, how and why we deviated from God's original purpose, examples of God's dealings with people of all kinds throughout the centuries, the Law of Moses to the Israelite nation which explained the need for a Messiah, along with hundreds of other prophecies about the Messiah and how to recognize him when he came. The prophecies, Law and illustrations in the Hebrew Scriptures would be pointless without their fulfillment in the Greek.

The Greek Scriptures (NT-written mainly in Greek, AFTER Jesus came to earth) would make very little sense without the information contained in the OT, which is quoted many times by Jesus and the disciples. It reveals the fulfillment of hundreds of prophecies, proves that Jesus was the Messiah based on fulfilled Messianic prophecies, continues the scriptures' role in teaching people the nature and will of God, and explains the set up and purpose of the Christian Congregation as it awaits God's Kingdom in the hands of Christ to bring things back to the way God originally intended. (Matthew 5:5/Psalms 37:10,11,29)(1 Corinthians 15:25-28)

Comment from Jonathanrdw:

Thanks, I was wondering that,too.

THANK FOR THE ANSWER!

Answer 2

It's not commonly understood that God made two promises to Abraham, which his descendants, the Israelites, inherited.

There is the "material" promise of national greatness, wealth and prosperity - and the "spiritual" promise of "blessing" [or salvation; eternal life; the Christ] eventually upon all the families or nations of the earth through the same faith Abraham displayed.

"...I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abrahma thy father; and I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and I will give unto thy seed ALL THESE COUNTRIES; and in thy seed shall ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED..." (Gen.26:3-4).

These two promises are the "gospel" of The Bible... the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God to the earth [the eternal nation of God]... and the salvation of God, His gift of Eternal Life for those who place their faith in Abraham's God, Jesus Christ [God's Children must be immortal if they are to live forever in His Kingdom].

The Israelites didn't think this way, of course... but were merely carnal minded humans with the same physical appetites of all men. They wanted what all men want... the good things life has to offer, like, full bellies, wealth, comfort and peace.

The two promises of God remained together and were passed along, intact, through Abraham's son, Isaac and his grandson, Jacob. But on his deathbed, Jacob [whose name was changed to Israel] split up the two promises.

The promise of national prosperity, greatness and the name "Israel," went to Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen.48).

The promise of the Messiah and salvation went to Judah, the Jews (Gen.49:8-12).

All of the Israelites in their generations forgot their God for whatever reasons or excuses. But they always held together in one of two "houses" or "kingdoms"... the House of Israel or the House of Judah [the Jews]. And they all suffered eventual defeat in war and were eventually scattered among the nations of the world.

The House of Israel was the first to be scattered among the nations, following Solomon's death and his heir's threat to level more taxes on the Israelites than his father did. The majority of the tribes of Israel followed Joseph's tribes in their split from the Jews, because in Ephraim and Manasseh were the material promises of God with all the good things in life they all sought - abundant crops, full bellies - and the promise of the Christ held by the Jews [along with taxation without representation] left them with little choice in which path they would take.

"...What portion have we in David [the Jews]? Neither have we [national] inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents." (I Kings 12:16)

God preserved the House of Judah [the Jews], however, after the House of Israel was carried away and scattered among the nations [the lost ten tribes of the House of Israel], lost to world history... never to return. Even when the Jews were carried away by Babylon some 130 years later... God allowed them to return to their promised land... that the promise of the Messiah might see fulfillment.

The Israelites have spent most of their existence split into the two houses of Israel and the Jews. They were split in the days of Saul, the first king of Israel, when the tribes waffled back and forth in loyalties between Saul and David.

So, it was perhaps the two promises of God that caused the dual split in the houses. One house, loyal to God and their expectation of the Anointed One... the other house loyal to their appetites for physical material wealth and prosperity.

Answer 3

The Old Testament is the Jewish Bible, having been made before the New Testament, which, of course, is centered around Jesus (thus being related to Christianity). Because the New Testament is newer, as well as it being largely different from the Old Testament, they are divided.

(Note I do not know enough about this subject, being Jewish, thus only having read more on the Old Testament. If anyone wants to correct me on something, go right ahead.)

Answer 4

Each page has 2 columns of text to make it more space efficient because it is such an expansive book. The average 2 column bible has between 1100 and 1300 pages. If the text was in a single column the book would be 10-25% larger.

Answer 5

The bible is split into two 'Testaments'. The 'Old Testament' and the 'New Testament'.

Answer 6

One thought:
I believe ONE reason was for speed, and ease of reading. It's much easier to follow a line of text a short distance than across the page.

Answer 7

The division of the book of Samuel and the book of Kings was done because of the length of the book. It was for pure convenience so the books won't be too long.