![]() ![]() Unlike the Torah and the books of Prophets ( Nevi’im), the works found in Ketuvim do not present themselves as the fruits of direct divine inspiration. Clues of language, literary style, and content have led scholars to see most of Ketuvim as “Second Temple” works. The text of the Torah was standardized not long after, but there was no more prophecy after Malachi. The Temple in Jerusalem, destroyed in the Babylonian conquest of 586, had been rebuilt around 515. Most of the individual books in Ketuvim were written or at least put in final form in Judea during the period of Persian and Hellenistic rule, from the fifth through the second centuries BCE. Ketuvim might better be translated as “the anthology,” the canonical collection from the post-prophetic age. There are historical retellings and short stories. There is philosophical exploration–of the wisest path in life, of God’s goodness and justice. ![]() ![]() There is poetry - of Temple ritual, private prayer, wisdom, national tragedy, even love. Ketuvim, the name of the third section of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), means simply “Writings”, which hardly does justice to the variety of religious expression found there. My Jewish Learning is a not-for-profit and relies on your help Donate ![]()
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