What are the main differences between the Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish Old Testaments?

The main differences between the Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish Old Testaments lie in the number of books included, the order of the books, and the terminology used to describe certain texts. Here’s a breakdown of these differences:

Jewish Old Testament (Hebrew Bible)

• Number of Books: 24 books, which correspond to the 39 books in the Protestant Old Testament but are grouped differently.
• Order and Grouping: The Hebrew Bible is divided into three main sections:

1. Torah (Law): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
2. Nevi’im (Prophets): Former Prophets (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings) and Latter Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve Minor Prophets).
3. Ketuvim (Writings): Includes Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles.

• Canon: The canon was largely established by the end of the 1st century CE, with the Council of Jamnia (Yavneh) playing a significant role in affirming the books.

Protestant Old Testament

• Number of Books: 39 books, which align with the Jewish Tanakh but are divided differently.
• Order and Grouping: Divided into four main sections:

1. Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
2. Historical Books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.
3. Poetical Books: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.
4. Prophetical Books: Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel) and Minor Prophets (Hosea to Malachi).

• Canon: The Protestant Reformation reaffirmed the 39 books of the Hebrew Bible, excluding the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books found in the Septuagint.

Catholic Old Testament

• Number of Books: 46 books, including the Deuterocanonical books.
• Order and Grouping: Similar to the Protestant arrangement but includes additional books:

1. Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
2. Historical Books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees.
3. Wisdom Books: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Wisdom, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus).
4. Prophetical Books: Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch, Ezekiel, Daniel) and Minor Prophets (Hosea to Malachi).

• Canon: The Catholic Church confirmed the inclusion of the Deuterocanonical books at the Council of Trent in the mid-16th century.

Deuterocanonical (Apocryphal) Books

These books are included in the Catholic Old Testament but are excluded from the Protestant Old Testament and the Jewish Tanakh. They include:

• Tobit
• Judith
• Additions to Esther
• Wisdom of Solomon
• Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
• Baruch
• Letter of Jeremiah
• Additions to Daniel (The Prayer of Azariah, Susanna, Bel and the Dragon)
• 1 Maccabees
• 2 Maccabees

Summary

• Jewish Old Testament: 24 books, grouped into Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim.
• Protestant Old Testament: 39 books, organized into Pentateuch, Historical, Poetical, and Prophetical books, excluding the Deuterocanonical books.
• Catholic Old Testament: 46 books, including the Deuterocanonical books, with a similar grouping to the Protestant Old Testament but with additional texts.

Understanding these differences helps in recognizing the diverse traditions and historical developments that have shaped the biblical canons of different faith communities.