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Old Testament

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Biblical Characters

The Resume

    (circa 1450 BC-circa 450 BC)
    Born in Sinai Desert, Egypt
    Canonical text for Jews (who call it ‘Tanakh’)
    First of two canonical texts for Christians
    Authors largely unknown
    Composed mostly in Hebrew
    Written and collected between 12th-2nd century BC
    Consists of 38 chapters or books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah and Malachi
    Catholic and Orthodox Christian Old Testament includes several additional books known as ‘deuterocanonical’ books

Why Old Testament might be annoying:

    Its God is often wrathful and violent.
    It blames women for the downfall of men.
    Several passages call for the complete annihilation of enemy tribes.
    It requires believers to circumcise their sons.
    Many people in it owned slaves and practiced polygamy.
    The genealogical chapters contain interminable lists of who fathered who.
    Many of its characters and much of its history may be fictional.
    Those who read it literally often reject modern medicine and science.
    Christians disagree as to what extent its laws are overturned by the New Testament.
    Harold Bloom accuses Christians of ‘appropriating’ it.

Why Old Testament might not be annoying:

    It is the basis of Judaism and plays a large role in Christianity.
    Its championing of the enslaved Israelites has inspired other oppressed peoples for centuries.
    It condemns human sacrifice, a common practice of the time.
    Its laws about unclean foods and behaviors may have some scientific basis.
    It features many intelligent and resourceful women such as Rachel and Esther.
    It contains little if any mention of heaven or hell.
    Its iconic stories and characters are widely known even to nonbelievers.
    Many of its verses became everyday expressions.
    It inspired much of the Western world’s greatest art.
    Hollywood loves its sexy, violent, yet righteous stories.

Credit: Georgina


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 34 Votes: 26.47% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 10.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 89 Votes: 48.31% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 26 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 59 Votes: 49.15% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 89 Votes: 56.18% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 99 Votes: 61.62% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 2256 Votes: 14.49% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 190 Votes: 51.05% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 14 Votes: 35.71% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 152 Votes: 74.34% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 24 Votes: 45.83% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 38 Votes: 52.63% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 1123 Votes: 67.94% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 627 Votes: 43.22% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 82 Votes: 52.44% Annoying