The books of the Old Testament are not listed by the Hebrew people as they are arranged by Christians. But in the days of the Saviour the general divisions of the Old Testament were the same as are recognized by the seed of Abraham today. The Old Testament Scriptures are divided into three parts: The Law, or Torah; the Prophets, or Nebhiim; and the Scriptures (Writings), or Kethubhim.
By the law, or Torah, the Jews generally wish to be understood to mean the five books of Moses. But to the devout orthodox Jew, this word "law" (Torah) comprehends vastly more. It includes all the rabbinical writings which have been handed down orally since the days of Moses, Joshua, and the elders who followed Joshua. In the Talmudic work entitled, "Yad Hachazaka" (the Strong Hand), we find the following:
"All the commandments which were given to Moses were given with their explanation, for it is said, 'I will give thee tables of stone and the law and the commandment.' Ex. 24:12. `The law,' this is the written law, 'and the commandment,' this is the explanation thereof. And he has commanded to fulfill 'the law' according to the 'commandment.' And the commandment is that which is called the Oral Law."
In the book entitled, "Ethics of the Fathers," Chapter I, it is written:
"Moses received the law from Sinai, and he delivered it unto Joshua, and Joshua delivered it to the elders, and the elders delivered it to the prophets, and the prophets delivered it to the men of the Great Synagogue."
This law which the Talmudists claim was passed from one class of men to the other, is the traditional or oral law. All these writings are called Torah by devout Jews. But it must be clearly understood that the foregoing teaching is rabbinical, traditional, without divine authority.
The Jews do not include the book of Daniel in the second part, the "Prophets." This book has not been counted among the writings of the prophets for many centuries. But from statements made by the Saviour, Jesus recognized Daniel as a prominent prophet. (See Matt. 24:15.)
According to the first chapter of the book of Mark, Jesus Himself referred to the writings of the prophet Daniel to prove that He was