Why is the popular name for the Jewish Scriptures ''Tanakh''?

Answer 1

Tanakh or Tanach (In Hebrew תנ"ך) is a Hebrew abbreviation for Torah, Nevi'im and Ketuvim. Torah is the 5 books of Moses, Nevi'im are the writings of the prophets and Ketuvim are other writings such as Psalms, Proverbs and Chronicles. All of them together are thus called the Tanach and consitute the entire collection of sacred writings. The word Tanakh is an acronym formed from the initial Hebrew letters - תנ"ך - of the Tanakh's three traditional subdivisions: # Torah (תורה), meaning "teaching" or "law," includes the Five Books of Moses. The Torah is also known by its Greek name, "the Pentateuch," which similarly means "five scrolls."

# Nevi'im (נביאים), meaning "Prophets." This division includes the books which, as a whole, cover the chronological era from the entrance of the Israelites into the Land until the Babylonian captivity of Judah (the "period of prophecy").

# Ketuvim (כתובים), meaning "Writings," are sometimes also known by the Greek title "Hagiographa." These encompass all the remaining books, and include the Five Scrolls.

Answer 2

The word "Tanakh" is a Hebrew acronym, combining the first letter of each of its three sections: Torah (Teachings), Nevi'im (Prophets), K'tuvim (Writings).

Answer 3

It is actually transliterated as Tanach or Tanakh, even written as TaNaKh. It is a Hebrew acronym. The T stands for Torah (which itself is literally defined as teachings), the N for Nevi'im or "Prophets," and K'tuvim which is Hebrew for "Writings." The order had always been: Torah (Genesis through Deut.) then all the Prophets, then the Writings....TaNaK.

Answer 4

Because God commanded it. The Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) tells the history of the ancient Israelites, as well as giving us the teachings of such prophets as Moses, Isaiah and Jeremiah, the stories of kings like David and Saul, and the development of the ethics and beliefs of the Jewish religion. Our tradition is that the Hebrew Bible is from God (Exodus 24:12), given to us to provide knowledge, guidance, inspiration, awe and reverence, advice, law, comfort, history and more. It is the basis of Judaism. It crystallized, strengthened and codified our beliefs; insured our awareness and knowledge of our identity and history; and provided powerful impetus to be ethical.

It made us stand in awe of God, while also providing optimism and comfort through the prophecies of redemption. It inspired us to strive for holiness and informed us how to pray and to approach God's presence.

And it set detailed laws, practices and traditions for us forever.