The term "Hagiographa" is derived from the Greek word "ἁγιογράφα," meaning "sacred writings." In the context of the Hebrew Bible, the Hagiographa refers to the third and final section of the Tanakh, known in Hebrew as the "Ketuvim," or "Writings." This section follows the Torah (Law) and the Nevi'im (Prophets) and is a diverse collection of books that hold significant theological, historical, and literary value.

Composition and Structure

The Hagiographa consists of a variety of literary genres, including poetry, wisdom literature, historical narrative, and apocalyptic visions. The books traditionally included in the Hagiographa are:

1. Psalms · A collection of 150 songs and prayers attributed primarily to King David, expressing a wide range of emotions from lament to praise. "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1).

2. Proverbs · A compilation of wise sayings and teachings, largely attributed to Solomon, offering practical guidance for righteous living. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline" (Proverbs 1:7).

3. Job · A poetic and philosophical exploration of the nature of suffering and divine justice, centered on the trials of Job, a righteous man. "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face" (Job 13:15).

4. Song of Solomon · An allegorical and poetic dialogue celebrating love and marriage, often interpreted as a representation of God's love for His people.

5. Ruth · A narrative of loyalty and redemption, telling the account of Ruth, a Moabite woman who becomes an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ.

6. Lamentations · A series of dirges mourning the destruction of Jerusalem, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. "Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail" (Lamentations 3:22).

7. Ecclesiastes · A philosophical reflection on the meaning of life and the pursuit of fulfillment, traditionally attributed to Solomon. "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind" (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

8. Esther · A historical narrative recounting the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to annihilate them, through the courage of Queen Esther.

9. Daniel · A book containing both historical narrative and apocalyptic visions, highlighting God's sovereignty and faithfulness. "But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever—yes, forever and ever" (Daniel 7:18).

10. Ezra-Nehemiah · Often considered a single book, these narratives describe the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple and city walls.

11. Chronicles · A historical account focusing on the lineage of David and the history of Judah, emphasizing themes of covenant and worship.

Theological Significance

The Hagiographa plays a crucial role in the theological framework of the Hebrew Bible. It provides insight into the human experience, divine wisdom, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The Psalms, for instance, are central to both Jewish and Christian worship, offering a model for prayer and praise. The wisdom literature, including Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, addresses the complexities of life and the pursuit of godly wisdom.

The narratives within the Hagiographa, such as Ruth and Esther, highlight God's providence and faithfulness to His covenant people. The apocalyptic visions in Daniel offer hope and assurance of God's ultimate victory over evil.

Canonical Status

In the Jewish tradition, the Hagiographa is part of the Tanakh and holds canonical status. In the Christian Old Testament, these books are included but are often arranged differently, reflecting the Septuagint's influence. The Hagiographa's diverse content and themes continue to be a source of inspiration and instruction for believers, affirming the enduring relevance of God's Word.The holy writings, a term which came early into use in the Christian church to denote the third division of the Old Testament scriptures, called by the Jews Kethubim, i.e., "Writings." It consisted of five books, viz., Job, Proverbs, and Psalms, and the two books of Chronicles. The ancient Jews classified their sacred books as the Law, the Prophets, and the Kethubim, or Writings. (see BIBLE.)

In the New Testament (Luke 24:44) we find three corresponding divisions, viz., the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms.

1. (n. pl.) The last of the three Jewish divisions of the Old Testament, or that portion not contained in the Law and the Prophets. It comprises Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Canticles, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles.

2. (n. pl.) The lives of the saints.

HAGIOGRAPHA

hag-i-og'-ra-fa.

See BIBLE; CANON OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.

Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
... equally attached to the sayings of the prophets, and even, though perhaps in a still
inferior degree, to the Hymns,' as the Hagiographa generally were called ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix v rabbinic theology and.htm

The Books of Samuel and Kings.
... To the third class belong the Hagiographa, of which the first book begins with Job,
the second with David, whose writings they divide into five parts and ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the books of samuel and.htm

Names and External Form of the Old Testament
... great classes, the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings; that is, the canonical writings
not included in the other two divisions"the Hagiographa (holy writings ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xiii names and external.htm

Daniel.
... that Theodotion's version, not the LXX., was read in the Churches, and that the
book was reckoned by the Jews not among the prophets but among the Hagiographa. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/daniel.htm

Number and Order of the Separate Books.
... The Talmudic order of the Hagiographa is Ruth, Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes,
Canticles, Lamentations, Daniel, Esther, Ezra, Chronicles. ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter iv number and order.htm

The Canon from Semler to the Present Time, with Reflections on Its ...
... Songs would not have been assigned to Solomon; Jonah would have been separated from
the prophets, and Daniel must have had a later position in the Hagiographa. ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter xi the canon from.htm

The Canon.
... About the same time the third group of the Old Testament Scriptures, "The
Hagiographa," or "Writings," began to be collected. No ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter xi the canon.htm

The Samaritan and Alexandrian Canons.
... we cannot be sure that the other books which the Therapeutae read as holy besides
the law, the prophets and hymns, differed from the hagiographa, and so ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter iii the samaritan and.htm

Letter ii. In My Last Letter I Said that in the Bible There is ...
... a difference as amounts to a diversity; and between both the one and the other,
and the remaining books comprised under the tithe of Hagiographa, the interval ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/letter ii in my last.htm

Chapter i.
... Alle pentateuchos, ta kaloumena Grapheia, para tisi de Hagiographa legomena (Iesou
tou Naue, biblos Kriton meta tes Rhouth, Paraleipomenon a', b', Basileion a ...
/.../an introduction to the old testament in greek additional notes/chapter i 2.htm

Hagiographa
... 2. (n. pl.) The lives of the saints. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HAGIOGRAPHA.
hag-i-og'-ra-fa. See BIBLE; CANON OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. ...
/h/hagiographa.htm - 7k

Psalms (44 Occurrences)
... In Luke 24:44 the word "psalms" means the Hagiographa, ie, the holy writings, one
of the sections into which the Jews divided the Old Testament. (see BIBLE.). ...
/p/psalms.htm - 54k

Deutero-canonical
... Matthew's Bible they were not only separated from the others but they were prefaced
with the words, "the volume of the book called Hagiographa." In Cranmer's ...
/d/deutero-canonical.htm - 14k

Deuterocanonical
... Matthew's Bible they were not only separated from the others but they were prefaced
with the words, "the volume of the book called Hagiographa." In Cranmer's ...
/d/deuterocanonical.htm - 14k

Targum
... of His Targum (2) The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel on the Prophets Characteristics
of His Targum-Earlier Prophets; Later Prophets (3) Hagiographa: Psalms, Job ...
/t/targum.htm - 38k

Chronicles (45 Occurrences)
... Gob (2 Samuel 21:18), etc. The Books of Chronicles are ranked among the
khethubim or hagiographa. They are alluded to, though not ...
/c/chronicles.htm - 60k

I-iii
... Lamentations from Jeremiah. The threefold division of the books, into Law, Prophets,
and other sacred Writings (Hagiographa), is old. It is ...
/i/i-iii.htm - 31k

Introduction (3 Occurrences)
... Lamentations from Jeremiah. The threefold division of the books, into Law, Prophets,
and other sacred Writings (Hagiographa), is old. It is ...
/i/introduction.htm - 33k

Daniel (74 Occurrences)
... NEBUCHADNEZZAR.). Daniel, Book of. Is ranked by the Jews in that division of
their Bible called the Hagiographa (Hebrews Khethubim). (see ...
/d/daniel.htm - 79k

Books (16 Occurrences)
... In the past, men have cited this passage as an account of the framing of a canon
of Scripture-the canon of the Prophets, or of the Prophets and the Hagiographa...
/b/books.htm - 101k

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