What Is the Collective Name for the First Five Books of the Bible?
The collective name for the first five books of the Bible is the Pentateuch. The word “Pentateuch” means “five books.” Another name for these books is “the books of law.”
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy comprise the Pentateuch. Genesis tells of the Creation and the beginning of the nation of Israel. Exodus tells of the Israelites’ redemption from bondage in Egypt, and Leviticus contains many of the laws given to the Jewish people. Numbers contains the history of the Jewish people in the wilderness as they waited to enter the Promised Land. Deuteronomy, the final book of the Pentateuch, reviews the law and reminds the people of their covenant with God. These books contain the laws that the Jewish people continue to follow.
