What is the Neviim? How are the "prophetic books" classified in the Hebrew Bible?

Quick answer

The Neviim, or “Prophets,” is the middle section of the Hebrew Bible divided into Former and Latter Prophets, grouping historical and prophetic books differently than the Christian Old Testament. Though arranged uniquely, the Hebrew Bible contains all the same books found in the Protestant Old Testament, revealing God’s story and pointing to Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Neviim is the second part of the Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew Bible is known as the TaNaK, which stands for Torah, Neviim, and Ketuvim. Torah means "instruction, teaching, or law" and contains the first five books of the Christian Bible. Neviim means "prophets" and includes twenty-one books of the Protestant Old Testament that are only eight scrolls in the Hebrew Bible. Ketuvim means "writings" and includes the other thirteen books of the Old Testament, contained in eleven scrolls.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

The Neviim is broken into two major sections: the Former Prophets and the Latter Prophets. The Former Prophets include the books of Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel (simply one scroll of Samuel), and 1 and 2 Kings (again one scroll). In the Christian Bible, these books are categorized as historical books, rather than prophetic books. "Prophet" simply means one who speaks forth the Word of God. These authors, under the inspiration of God's Spirit, faithfully recorded the story of God's work in His chosen people and in their Promised Land. This history is God's Word spoken forth by the authors of these books, which is why they are categorized as Former Prophets in the Hebrew Bible.

The Latter Prophets include three major prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, as well as one scroll of twelve minor prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

During Jesus' time on earth, the Hebrew Bible already existed in this form. He referenced this three-part structure in Luke 24:44 when He said, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses [Torah] and the Prophets [Neviim] and the Psalms [representing all of the Ketuvim] must be fulfilled." In this way, Jesus affirmed the Scripture of the Old Testament as contained in the TaNaK.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

A reader of the Christian Bible might notice that certain historical books, like Ruth and 1 and 2 Chronicles, are not listed; certain prophetic books, like Daniel, are also missing. Those books are contained in the Ketuvim, or Writings, in the Hebrew Bible. The TaNaK includes every book of the Protestant Old Testament; they are just categorized, divided, and ordered differently in the Hebrew Bible.

God used these authors to record His work in the world so that people could know His character and His ways. Jesus affirmed that these books were indeed God-breathed Scripture whose climax and fulfillment is found in Him. Whether reading instruction, history, prophecy, or poetry, whether reading it in the Hebrew Bible of the TaNaK or the Christian Old Testament, whether reading in Hebrew, English, or any other language, readers should be gaining an understanding of God and of humanity's need for God to provide a saving Messiah. The prophetic books of the Neviim are a vital part of this endeavor. For we know that "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

UNDERSTAND

The Neviim, the Hebrew Bible’s second section, divides prophetic books into Former (historical) and Latter Prophets.

All Protestant Old Testament books appear in the Hebrew Bible but are categorized and ordered differently.

Jesus affirmed this structure and the Scriptures’ divine inspiration, pointing to Him as the Messiah.

REFLECT

How does knowing the structure of the Hebrew Bible’s Neviim deepen your understanding of God’s unfolding story?

How does recognizing Jesus’ fulfillment of the prophetic books impact your faith and trust in Scripture?

How can you grow in appreciating both the historical and prophetic messages within the Old Testament for your spiritual life today?

ENGAGE

How does the difference in categorization between the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament affect the way we read and understand these Scriptures?

What can the division of the Neviim into Former and Latter Prophets teach us about God’s ongoing work with His people?

How does Jesus’ affirmation of the TaNaK shape our view of the Old Testament’s authority and its role in pointing to Him?