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Ketuvim
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{{Books of Ketuvim}}
'''Ketuvim''' is the third and final section of the
Tanakh (
Hebrew Bible). The
Hebrew language Hebrew word כתובים (''ketuvim'') means "writings." In English translations of the Hebrew Bible, this section is usually entitled "The Writings" or "Hagiographa."
In the Jewish textual tradition,
Books of Chronicles Chronicles is counted as one book.
Ezra and
Nehemiah are also counted together as a single book called "Ezra." Thus, there are total of ''eleven'' books in the section called '''Ketuvim''' (see the enumeration in the list of books below).
Special groups of books in Ketuvim
The three poetic books (''Sifrei Emet'')
Psalms, Proverbs, and Job employ a special system of
cantillation notes appropriate to their poetic nature. In old
masoretic manuscripts they are presented in a special form emphasizing the parallel stitches in the verses, also a function of their poetry. Collectively, these three books are known as, ''Sifrei Emet,'' (an acronym of the titles in Hebrew, איוב, משלי, תהלים yields ''Emet'', אמ"ת ). Their special cantillation notes are called ''Ta`amei Emet''.
The five scrolls (''Hamesh Megillot'')
The five relatively short books of ''
Song of Songs'', ''
Book of Ruth'', ''
Lamentations'', ''
Ecclesiastes'' and ''
Book of Esther'' are collectively known as the ''Hamesh Megillot'' (
The Five Scrolls). These scrolls are traditionally read over the course of the year in many Jewish communities. The list below presents them in the order they are read in the synagogue on holidays, beginning with the ''Song of Solomon'' on
Passover.
The following list divides the books of '''Ketuvim''' into three subgroups based on the distinctiveness of ''Sifrei Emet'' and ''Hamesh Megillot''.
Order of the books in Ketuvim
(as found in common printed editions)
'''Group I: The Three Poetic Books (Sifrei Emet)'''
* 1. Tehillim (''
Psalms'') תהלים
* 2. Mishlei (''
Book of Proverbs'') משלי
* 3. `Iyyov (''
Book of Job'') איוב
'''Group II:
The Five Scrolls (Hamesh Megillot)'''
* 4. Shir ha-Shirim (''
Song of Songs'') or (''
Song of Solomon'') שיר השירים (
Passover)
* 5. Ruth (''
Book of Ruth'') רות (
Shavuot)
* 6. Eikhah (''
Lamentations'') איכה (
Ninth of Av) [Also called ''Kinnot'' in Hebrew.]
* 7. Kohelet (''
Ecclesiastes'') קהלת (
Sukkot)
* 8. Esther (''
Book of Esther'') אסתר (
Purim)
'''Group III: Other Historical Books'''
* 9. Daniel (''
Book of Daniel'') דניאל
* 10. Ezra (''
Book of Ezra''-''
Book of Nehemiah'') עזרא
* 11. Divrei ha-Yamim (''
Books of Chronicles Chronicles'') דברי הימים
Other ways to order the books
The '''order''' of the books in '''Ketuvim''' varies in manuscripts and printed editions. Some, for instance, place ''
Books of Chronicles Chronicles'' first instead of last. The above list presents the books in the order found in most common printed versions of the
Hebrew Bible today. Historically, this particular order of the books derives from manuscripts written by the Jews of Ashkenaz (medieval Germany).
The Jewish textual tradition never finalized the order of the books in '''Ketuvim'''. The
Talmud Babylonian Talmud (''Bava Batra'' 14b-15a) gives their order as follows: ''Ruth'', ''Psalms'', ''Job'', ''Proverbs'', ''Ecclesiastes'', ''Song of Solomon'', ''Lamentations of Jeremiah'', ''Daniel'', ''Scroll of Esther'', ''Ezra'', ''Chronicles''.
In Tiberian
masoretic codices including the
Aleppo Codex and the
Leningrad Codex, and often in old Spanish manuscripts as well, the order or '''Ketuvim''' is as follows: ''Chronicles'', ''Psalms'', ''Job'', ''Proverbs'', ''Ruth'', ''Song of Solomon'', ''Ecclesiastes'', ''Lamentations of Jeremiah'', ''Esther'', ''Daniel'', ''Ezra''.
Targum on books in Ketuvim
Briefly: Western
targumim exist on ''Sifrei Emet'' and on the
Five Megillot. Details to follow.
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