Who Wrote the Ketuvim? (Writings)

Buy the summary chart:

Complete series in one video:

Individual episodes:

Recommended Reading:
* Alter, Robert (2011). The Art of Biblical Narrative. Basic Books.
* Baden, Joel (2012). The Composition of the Pentateuch: Renewing the Documentary Hypothesis. Yale University Press.
* Coogan, Michael (2001) The Oxford History of the Biblical World. Oxford University Press
* Finkelstein, Israel & Neil Asher Silberman (2001). The Bible Unearthed. Free Press.
* Kugel, James (2007). How to Read the Bible. Free Press.
* Stein, Robert H. (2001). Studying the Synoptic Gospels: Origin and Interpretation. Baker Academic.

Credits:
Charts & Narration by Matt Baker, PhD
Animation by Syawish Rehman
Audio by Jack Rackam

[SamAronow]

Fun fact about Esther: like a lot of literature relegated to the Deuterocanon (except for Maccabees), Esther was probably originally performed as a play after theatre was introduced by the Greeks– meaning that the way we read it aloud today, with audience participation, has probably changed very little from its original use!

[rileybalduf]

This is my favorite thing on the internet right now.

[maguffle]

As a Christian pastor, I just want to say that I'm loving this series so far!

[scottlarson]

Another theory I've heard about Job is that the author intentionally imitated an early written Hebrew style to make the story appear ancient thus more important. For a modern example, see The Book of Mormon.

[TheElizondo]

If by the end of this series, which is awesome BTW, you manage to fit most of the graphs into an organized poster chart... I'd definitively would buy. And hopefully others are interested as well.
Awesome work man!

[mirnacudiczgela]

I am Catholic Christian, my husband graduated in Catholic theology and I enjoy your explanations concerning the Bible, God's holy Word. I also admire the respect with which you approach the New Testament and the Christian doctrine.

[fawziekefli]

6:31 "Well, I suppose that's one way to look at things." Ah, the restraint in the man's voice. Admirable. 👏🏻

[anniekallen]

I would love a whole series about how ancient stories relate to each other and are based off each other. I remember reading somewhere that there are some stories that appear to have travelled around the whole world tens of thousands of years ago. One example is the story of a man or group of men going into a cave disguised as animals to fight or steal from a god or monster. Most people recognize it from the story of the Greeks fighting the Cyclops, but there are versions of this story even in Native American culture! And scholars don't think it's mere coincidence, because they can actually trace the changes in the story as they follow the versions around the world.

[EdBapt]

Forgive me for raining confetti on you. You are amazing. Rigorously scientic, honest, respectful work, and faithful yourself. I am green... Thank you.

[maxk]

I've listened to either of the two previous episodes every night or morning for the past couple of days. Can't get enough of the bible nor your voice

[Pkmatrix]

This series continues to be very interesting! In college (a Catholic college) I took a course on the New Testament that reviewed and went over the literary/publication history in much the same way as you've been covering here, so it's very cool to get a similar overview of the history around the writing of the Old Testament as well. :)

[Ianm]

Can't wait for the next episode...having been brought up a Jehovah's Witness I've learnt more from your channel about the bible than I did in a lifetime of meetings. Keep up the good work. Can't wait for my next poster.

[lafcursiax]

Very much looking forward to episode 4! Learning about the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonicals was what really set off my interest in the history of the Bible!

[PluxBR]

I just wanted to come here to a most recent video to tell you: Your channel is absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for your work. It is truly incredible. The way you present, the way you explain, the words you choose, how clear it is made, reliance on facts. Thanks for that, and i hope you keep doing it.

[winston]

When I was in college (more years ago than I like to think about), we were assigned the book of Job as a literature assignment.
The lecture about this work emphasized that Job was known to be the first book written.

[ulrike]

This series is great, very much looking forward to the rest of it! As someone who has worked a lot with Homeric Epic, which has its own fair share of difficulties regarding author and date, I´m fascinated by the way you manage to lay all of that out so clearly!

[MadSocial]

I can't multitask when watching your videos. I always have to pay attention because it's just super interesting information. On my watch after work list. ☺️

[Themachinegun]

Thank you for posting these series. I was always taught that the bible was the word of God and completely historical. But knowing how governments/Kings are and the embellishments people make today it only makes sense that some poetic licensing took place. Especially since they were verbally passed down before they were written. The part that hit me the most is when you said the people in that time were more concerned with the point of the message then the exact details of what happen. I wish we were more like that now.

[timonheidema]

As a Christian, your answer on the question about the historicality of the books was pretty enlightening!

I think I'm gonna use that answer now.

[JenneeB]

I have found this series absolutely fascinating! I also believe that the Bible isn't meant to be taken word for word, but to be used as a tool to help you live a better more religious life in tune with God. Great job, Matt!