Old Testament

Meaning

Name

The first major part of the Christian Bible, covering events before the coming of Christ, corresponding roughly to the Jewish Tanakh. Usually subdivided into the categories of law, history, poetry (or wisdom books), and prophecy.

Adj

Reminiscent of the content of the Old Testament, or of the behavior of God in it; especially dramatic, violent or vengeful.

Synonyms

antiquated

Torah

OT

Pentateuch

old promise

old covenant

Jewish Bible

Translations

Altes Testament

Ancien Testament

Antiguo Testamento

Antico Testamento

Oude Testament

Antigo Testamento

Παλαιά Διαθήκη

Antic Testament

Vetus Testamentum

Vetus Testāmentum

alttestamentlich

Vecchio Testamento

ancien testament

Ancien testament

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English:

In summary

From Middle English Olde Testament, calqued from Latin Vetus Testāmentum. Old refers to ancientness, not to obsolescence. Equivalent to a retronym, by comparison with the New Testament.