The present book concisely covers the tripartite divisions of the Hebrew Bible known as TANAK. It has five chapters: A General Introduction to the Hebrew Bible and its contents, The Life and Faith of the People of God (OT), Liberation and Formation of the Identity of the People of God (Pentateuch), Prophetic Responses to the Struggles of the People of God, and Hope in Suffering and Joy in Liberation (Study of the Hebrew Poetry and Wisdom Literature).

This book is an outcome of 33 years of learning under various Gurus and teaching scores of students (1992-2025). I recognize the contribution of all my teachers and students behind this guide book. I strongly believe that the input of all these great scholars in this concise book will help the students of the Hebrew Bible.

Contents

Preface and Acknowledgement

Chapter 1: General Introduction to the Hebrew Bible and Its Contents

Chapter 2: The Life and Faith of the People of God: OT

Chapter 3: Liberation and Formation of Identity of the People of God: Pentateuch

Chapter 4: Prophetic Responses to the Struggles of the People of God

Chapter 5: Hope in Suffering and Joy in Liberation: Study of Hebrew Poetry and Wisdom Literature

Bibliography

Shiju Mathew is an ordained minister of CEA. His theological journey started in the year 1992. He did Bachelor of Divinity from Faith Theological Seminary, Manakala; Master of Theology in Old Testament from Union Biblical Seminary, Pune; and Doctor of Theology in Old Testament from United Theological College, Bangalore. All these colleges/seminaries are affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University).

The author served with Gospel for Asia (1996-99) as a teacher and Academic in charge with Union Biblical Seminary (2018-2023) in various positions as Head of the Department (OT), Dean of Postgraduate Program, and Dean of Doctoral Studies. He is serving as Professor of Hebrew Bible at New Theological College, Dehradun (2001-2018; Rejoined 2023). He served in NTC in various positions as Registrar (2003-2007), Academic Dean (2012-2016), and Acting Principal (2016-17). He was part of the MTh Curriculum committee (SSC) and a member of the board of study of the Old Testament (SSC). He is a qualified supervisor for the Doctoral research program (SSC). He served as subject expert (Biblical division) at Adventist Spicer University, Pune. He is the author of four books titled Biblical Law Codes in Creative Tension: A Postcolonial Womanist Reading (2016), Center and Margin in the Hebrew Bible: A Subaltern Reading (2019), Bridging the Gap: Scripture and Reader (2024), and At the Feet of Guru Yeshu: Devotee and Devotion (2025). He has also written and contributed numerous articles to various national and international journals and edited books.